Seanad debates

Wednesday, 11 October 2017

10:30 am

Photo of Michelle MulherinMichelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also want to be associated with the condolences expressed to the partner and family of the late Neill O'Neill, managing editor of the Mayo News, and indeed, to all his work colleagues and those further afield who worked and had dealings with Neill. It is truly shocking. I am sure the family are completely shocked to think somebody 36 years old in the throes of his work is gone now. I suppose it is a reminder to us all of how fleeting life is.

I ask that the Leader would make an intervention with the Minister for Health on a serious issue concerning the urology department in University Hospital Galway. Last week, I tabled a Commencement matter which stemmed from an issue brought to my attention by the family of an elderly man who was in Mayo General Hospital since 19 September waiting to get into urology. This man is seriously ill with cancer. The hospital in Castlebar, by its own admission, could do nothing further for him and he needed to get to University Hospital Galway, which is a centre of excellence, to be seen by the urology department. He was being advised to go to the emergency department and he is so sick he is not fit to go there. He was discharged home on the day of my Commencement matter, which was Wednesday. Yesterday, his family got confirmation from Galway that he would get an outpatient appointment for January 2018. Now this man, as I said, is seriously ill. He was discharged after being told by the doctors in Castlebar that he needed to get in to urology as soon as possible, and them directing him to go to the emergency department.

I received a letter from the Saolta Group, which is responsible for Galway, Castlebar and the other hospitals in that region, telling me there are a number of patients in Saolta hospitals waiting to get in to the urology specialty in Galway. Something is seriously wrong in the urology department in Galway when a man so ill is given an outpatient appointment for January 2018, notwithstanding the fact that I raised it. I should not have to raise this here but I have, and I raised it last week. I am asking the Leader to address it as a priority. This is a seriously ill man. His family are gutted in regard to this and I do not blame them. I am asking that the Leader, when he leaves here today, pick up the phone and talk to the Minister for Health about what is going on. Let us get some accountability from the HSE and from the Saolta Group in relation to what is going on in Galway. Let the truth be known and let the issues be addressed.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.