O’Reilly U-turn on hospital welcomed
The minister has decided the Tralee Community Nursing Unit will cater exclusively for older people, and not also for rehabilitation patients as had been proposed by the HSE.
Dr Reilly made the decision after carrying out a review of what services the new unit should provide, having paid a visit to the facility in early February.
The HSE had previously announced the 43-bed unit would be shared for patients seeking rehabilitation and older people needing long-term, residential care.
The Senior Citizens’ Campaign for a Community Hospital for Tralee, lobbying on the issue for 14 years, strongly opposed its use for rehabilitation.
Mairead Fernane, the spokesperson for the group, said Dr Reilly had also visited the third floor of Kerry General Hospital where elderly people are currently being accommodated and found it to be totally unsuitable for the purpose.
“He could see immediately the community nursing unit was the proper place for these people.
“People needing rehabilitation can now go to the hospital’s long-stay unit, which is to be vacated.
“Great credit is due to all the people who fought so hard for so long for a community hospital for Tralee, in particular the late Ellen Rohan who started the campaign,” she said.
“Many others who were involved down the years have passed away.
“Tralee was the only town in Kerry without a community hospital, but that unacceptable situation is now being rectified.”
Meanwhile, the 43 patients currently in the long-stay ward in Kerry General Hospital will be transferred to the new unit over the coming months.
Dr Reilly also confirmed that there are ongoing communications between the HSE and HIQA — the health standards authority — in relation to the registration of the new unit which are expected to be concluded shortly.
The minister also said that he was anxious, over time, rehabilitation services would be developed in the vacated long-stay unit at Kerry General Hospital.
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