Anger over changes to prosthetic service
Prosthetic limb users have reacted angrily to the plans, saying that they don’t want to travel to MUH if they need alterations to their limbs as they will “be carrying limbs for repair” in their arms and the hospital has no parking facilities.
Patients attending St Mary’s Orthopaedic Hospital (SMOH) have reacted angrily to the move, questioning why the northside service that they access, and which has an excellent customer satisfaction rating and ample parking facilities, is not being invested in.
They are also refusing to transfer to MUH, saying that they need continuity of care from the same prosthetics fitter and are all happy with the Scope-Rehab service based at St Mary’s.
Patients from as far afield as Limerick and even Laois also attend the hospital.
The HSE said existing SMOH patients will not be forced to transfer to MUH.
However, HSE South chairwoman, Cllr Catherine Clancy, has said she believes the HSE could be “trying to downgrade the St Mary’s facility by stealth”.
Up to now, prosthesis service in Cork were being provided at SMOH, and at two clinics at St Finbarr’s Hospital — a HSE-sponsored clinic and at a National Rehabilitation Hospital-run outpatient service.
According to Irish prosthetic limb makers, the review is also considering referring HSE patients to one company alone — a British-based prosthesis manufacture, Ability Matters, who will have the contract for all prosthesis across the country. The move, they say, will see the replacement of highly-skilled Irish prosthetists in Ireland with their British counterparts.
A letter, sent by prostheist at St Mary’s Orthopaedic in Cork, Andries de Bont, to Health Minister Mary Harney, harshly criticised the change and warned that “a monopoly will be created by a UK-based multinational” and that “patients will have no choice as to where they get their prosthesis or orthosis”.
The HSE last night confirmed that the review was taking place as part of the overall reconfiguration of hospital services.
“Consultant in rehabilitative medicine, Dr Andrew Hanrahan, is conducting the review and exploring the possibility of an integrated medical rehabilitation service for those affected by stroke, brain injury, etc, as well as the needs of those requiring rehabilitation after limb loss,” said Ger Reaney, HSE interim hospital network manager, in response to a parliamentary question from Michael McGrath.
Md Clancy met with amputees last week and said that the St Mary’s operation should not be tinkered with. “The team are just a phone call away for the amputees. There is 110% satisfaction with the service.”
She is due to discuss the issue with senior HSE management shortly.
Nationally, a working group is also examining a national rehabilitation plan, the outcome of which will inform the Cork and Kerry rehabilitation strategy.
Joe Mullarkey is an amputee from Carrigaline in Co Cork who lost both of his legs 40 years ago when he was knocked down by a train. He is now aged 68 and campaigning hard for the retention of the St Mary’s service.
“If a directive is issued that Ability Matters must be used, it will affect patients and consultants’ right to choose a service that is cheaper and more patient- friendly.
“I recently broke a cable on my knee lock on a Friday evening at 3.30pm. I was unable to unlock my knee. I phoned Scope-Rehab and explained my problem and they advised me to come straight to the clinic. They replaced the cable immediately.
“The new service will see major repairs going to Dublin. This review is being conducted in secret as no amputees to my knowledge have been consulted.”
The review team claim they have been meeting with patient groups.
The HSE said the St Mary’s service was privately run, but concede they had been referring patients there for years.
“The HSE is only planning on moving the service currently based at St Finbarr’s Hospital which is no longer fit for service.
“The service which will operate from the Mercy will be a consultant-led service, subject to all the tenets of good clinical governance and international best practice, which will be auditable and will provide value for money. The Project Management Team is confident that all considerations have been addressed and existent statutes are fully complied with, including application to the City Council for Disability Access Certification,” the spokesman added.
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