Teachta Pa Daly, Sinn Féin TD for Kerry has called for additional resources to be provided for UHK’s Rheumatology Department.
“I have written to Minister Donnelly asking his support for additional resources in UHK’s Rheumatology Department as the depertment is grossly under-staffed and resourced at the moment,” said Teachta Daly.
Horrific Pain And Distress
“This is resulting in severe delays on waiting lists and horrific pain and distress to those in Kerry that rely on UHK for care,” has said.
Teachta Daly also provided the following statistics shared with him by the Kerry branch of Arthritis Ireland:
The number of people waiting for a rheumatology appointment at University Hospital Kerry (UHK) increased by 26% between January and September this year to 588 patients.
UHK has a catchment of 170,607 people which, according to the Model of Care for Rheumatology, should equate to the below staffing levels:
Consultant rheumatologist: min 1 per 100,000 = 1.7 consultant posts
Rheumatology clinical nurse specialist (WTE): 1 per 100,000 = 1.7 CNSs
Musculoskeletal physiotherapist (WTE): 1 per 100,000 = 1.7 MSK physios
Senior physiotherapist (WTE): 1 per 100,000 = 1.7 senior physios
Extended scope occupational therapist (WTE): 1 per 100,000 = 1.7 extended scope OTs
Senior occupational therapist (WTE): 1 per 100,000 = 1.7 senior OTs
Fifteen Years of Government Failure
“Thanks to failed government policies for over fifteen years now, it is hard to imagine we will be afforded the Model of Care, however the urgent resources I am asking for is:
One full-time Consultant; One full-time Advanced Nurse Practitioner – this resource is funded but the position remains unfilled; One full-time Administrative or Secretarial staff – the current resource is shared among five Consultants and results in the Rheumatology Consultant undertaking administrative work which greatly impacts on time spent with patients.
Serious Concerns About Downgrading
“We’re hearing serious concerns from inside the hospital that there is an imminent risk of the hospital being downgraded.
“This will result in Kerry people travelling to Cork for diagnoses and treatment.
“We deserve a better level of service and I have asked Minister Donnelly to support my call for these resources to be funded as a matter of urgency,” Teachta Daly concluded.
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