Pa Daly TD welcomes David Cullinane TD, Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Health to Kerry for a series of meetings to discuss the ongoing crisis at University Hospital Kerry. 

Teachta Daly said

“I was delighted to welcome David Cullinane TD, Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Health, to Kerry yesterday. 

“We met with hospital management, consultants, nurses, the ambulance service, unions, dentists and community health care. 

“The day ended with a public meeting to ensure that Deputy Cullinane heard first hand from the community about their concerns for the hospital. 

“I thought I had heard it all over the past 20 months, but the meeting with the INMO and Nurses was jarring. 

“I would like to say again that I am extremely grateful for the commitment of all our healthcare workers, but Nurses and Midwives in particular who reach uncharted territory every day it seems.

“The problems of UHK may seem insurmountable but it is clear that we must take action now and cannot continue to just talk about the crisis. 

“I understand that Liam Woods, National Director for Acute Hospitals is coming to Tralee on Friday to meet with management and staff at the hospital.

“The Consultants have set out the issues very well, and suggested viable solutions that would make an immediate difference to A&E, ambulance transfers, elective surgeries and alleviate the pressure Nurses face on the wards.

“The addition of a modular unit on hospital grounds and clerical staff on wards would make a huge difference for all our frontline workers. 

“I hope that the HSE now listens to the staff and moves quickly to implement solutions that have been brought to the table. 

“Separately, I would like to thank the staff of the Ashe Hotel who hosted the meetings safely and ensured Covid compliance at all times.”