Mattie McGrath criticises HSE over Clonmel ophthalmology gap
Mattie McGrath raised urgent concerns about ophthalmology services in Clonmel, South Tipperary after the retirement of Dr Hilary and the absence of a replacement. He said the post has not been advertised, the service faced a two-year waiting list before the retirement, and called the situation unfair to patients.
He welcomed Councillor Ritchie Millay, Manager of Family Cares Island in South Tipperary, and a group from Clonmel to the gallery.
He paid tribute to Dr Hilary, noting she gave her notice in July and retired on the 5th of October. He said Dr Hilary has not been replaced and that the position has not been advertised.
He reported his office had been inundated with calls about ophthalmology services and said the service was experiencing a two-year wait for appointments before the retirement. He described the situation as unfair to people in Clonmel waiting for eye treatment and criticised the agency and the HSE for how the matter has been handled.
The Taoiseach acknowledged the gap in service provision, said they would raise the issue directly with the minister and with the Chief Executive of the HSE, and indicated they would report back to Urgina. The Taoiseach also thanked the deputy who raised the issue and wished Dr Hilary well in her retirement.
Visitor welcome
He welcomed Councillor Ritchie Millay, Manager of Family Cares Island in South Tipperary, and a group from Clonmel to the gallery.
Retirement and staffing gap
He paid tribute to Dr Hilary, noting she gave her notice in July and retired on the 5th of October. He said Dr Hilary has not been replaced and that the position has not been advertised.
Waiting lists and criticism
He reported his office had been inundated with calls about ophthalmology services and said the service was experiencing a two-year wait for appointments before the retirement. He described the situation as unfair to people in Clonmel waiting for eye treatment and criticised the agency and the HSE for how the matter has been handled.
Official response and next steps
The Taoiseach acknowledged the gap in service provision, said they would raise the issue directly with the minister and with the Chief Executive of the HSE, and indicated they would report back to Urgina. The Taoiseach also thanked the deputy who raised the issue and wished Dr Hilary well in her retirement.
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Transcript
To welcome Councillor Ritchie Millay, Manager of Family Cares Island in South Tipperary, and a group from Clonmel to the gallery today. Taoiseach, my office has been inundated with calls about ophthalmology services in Clonmel in South Tipperary. I want to first of all pay tribute to Dr Hilary, who has retired. As I said, my office has received numerous complaints and we were informed that Dr Hilary gave her notice of retirement in July and retired on the 5th of October. She has not been replaced, and I also understand that the position has not been advertised. This is unbelievable that the agency can operate in this manner. I understand that the service was experiencing a two-year wait for appointments. This was before Dr Hilary retired. How could we not anticipate this? Two-year waiting lists, professional and personal, give great service wishes to retire, give adequate notice, and we haven't even advertised the position. That is not fair to the people in Clonmel waiting for treatment, for eye treatment. And it's just totally unfair. The biggest belief that the HSE can operate in that kind of a fashion. I want to thank Deputy McGrath for raising the issue and wish Dr Hilary all the best with her retirement. I take the point you make about that gap now in service provision and the anxiety that that's causing for people who need ophthalmology services. I'll raise it directly with the Minister and with the Chief Executive of the HSE. And as they come back to you, Urgina. Thank you. Thank you.