Sligo patients forced to pay privately as question marks raised over HSE podiatry service

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Podiatry services in the Sligo/South Donegal region has been apparently suspended due to lack of staff.

The matter was raised at the monthly meeting of Sligo County Council by Cllr Thomas Healy who called on the Local Authority to write to the Minister over the issue.

Cllr Healy remarked, “The HSE podiatry service covering Sligo and South Donegal provides an essential and specialised service to people with a variety of health conditions. It is a vital service for keeping people out of hospital and functioning at home.

Revealing that he has heard directly from patients who are unable to access the service, Cllr Healy stated, “I have unfortunately been contacted by a number of constituents who have had this service withdrawn due to lack of staff and with no date identified for a return of the service.

“This has directly affected the health of those concerned, this is a specialised area that a GP does not have expertise in, forcing patients to pay privately at considerable expense.”

Cllr Healy added, “I am calling on the council to write to the Minister for Health and ask her to confirm if there is a recruitment embargo in the north west and when this service will be resumed. I also would like a commitment to reimburse patients for the huge expense of having to pay privately for what should be a public service.”

The motion was supported by Cllr Edel McSharry who remarked, “I have received the same complaints. I will bring it up at the Regional Health Forum, it is essential people have this service. I would be appalled if there was any recruitment embargo on essential services.”

Cllr Thomas Walsh commented, “The podiatrist hasn’t been replaced, they have a long waiting list. It isn’t clear if it is a resource issue or the HSE can’t attract a podiatry team.”

Cllr Donal Gilroy also spoke in favour of the motion saying, “The podiatry service is not at a total halt, it is being changed.

“I support the motion but it is important to recognise that the Clarion Road hub is providing an excellent service, they are second to none. Some of the services have been moved around but I can’t knock their service, as a public patient.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.