FEARS have been voiced that University Hospital Kerry is being significantly downgraded following a communication from the HSE to GPs revealing that a “walk-in chest x-ray service” is being phased out.
Family doctors have been told that the current service will be replaced by a prioritised scheduled service and it is further proposed that ultrasounds will no longer be carried out after 5pm.
Kerry TD John Brassil said the hospital is being effectively downgraded after the memo was sent to GPs in the county and he has called on the HSE to explain why proper resources are not being allocated to the hospital.
“This latest memo follows on from a series of warnings about the future of certain services at the hospital because of staffing issues, including a number of important consultant vacancies which have still not been filled.
“It seems that when it comes to services at UHK, it’s one step forward and two steps back,” he said.
The Fianna Fail TD said the HSE is not filling the vacant posts and it needs to explain why.
“Resources within the Cork-Kerry Hospital Group do not seem to be making their way to UHK and people in Kerry are suffering. The hospital is effectively being downgraded without any discussion,” he stated.
“The HSE is chipping away at services and is risking the viability of the hospital,” he added.
The Kerry TD said GPs, consultants and other staff at the hospital are extremely frustrated by the lack of communication and action.
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