BEARA PEOPLE TURN OUT IN LARGE NUMBERS TO VOICE THEIR ANGER
AT THE NON-APPOINTMENT OF A 2^ND G.P.

On Thursday 30^th Jan. last a crowd in excess of 150 people turned up at Cametringane Hotel to attend the Public Meeting organised by Beara Action Group.  Pat Healy, Programme Manager for Cork and Kerry and Ger Reaney, General Manager of West Cork – both from the Southern Health Board attended as did local Councillor Noel Harrington, Denis O’Donovan, T.D., Vivian O’Callaghan, MCC & Member of the Southern Health Board, Cllrs. Paddy Sheehan and John O’Shea.  Denis Regan, Chairman of Beara Action Group welcomed everyone to this very important meeting to discuss the problem of why the position of a second permanent doctor has not yet been filled since the departure of Dr. O’Donovan in April 2001.  He stated that if perhaps the Southern Health Board has treated Dr. O’Donovan better, there would have been no reason for such a meeting, as he would still be practising in Beara.  Mr. Regan raised the three main issues for discussion.  They were:

• No.1.  Why the position had not yet been filled – the last time the position was advertised was in Jan. 2002.  Beara was currently on their 9^th Locum since April 2001.  There is no continuity and this is not acceptable to the people of Beara – they deserve better.

• No.2.  Lack of a Medical Centre in Castletownbere – this would also alleviate the problem of a successor in locating premises to operate in – another difficulty Dr. O’Donovan experienced while here.  We are the country’s premier white fishing port as well as the port being used by boats from other countries, and we do not have a basic facility such as a Medical Centre.  This is totally unacceptable.

• No.3.  Allowing Doctors to follow their patients into the local community hospital.

Cllr. Noel Harrington spoke first, stating that with a population of 4,500 there was a need for 2 to 3 doctors on a permanent basis – one of them to be a female.  The position offered at present is perceived to be unattractive, with hours on call amounting to 64 plus 40 hours on duty.  He also mentioned the medical centre situation and stated that the Southern Health Board had plenty of room on the grounds of St. Joseph’s Hospital to develop this facility.  He thanked Dr. Gleeson and all the locum doctors to date.

Pat Healy stated that the Southern Health Board was fully aware of the situation and that it was not the only area with this problem.  At present the agency ‘Locomotion’ is assisting the SHB with this appointment – advertising abroad – but has had no luck to date.    He went on to say that the SHB were paying for a surgery premises, accommodation and a secretary for the locums at present and will be appointing a nurse in the coming months.  This was costing in the region of 100,000 Euro.  He also stated that the current locum Dr. Rautenbach had signed a contract for a further 12 months following a month’s break in Feb.  With regard to the Medical Centre – he pointed out that a premises was purchased recently in Castletownbere but had no funds to develop it at present.   The issue of doctors following their patients into the hospital was a matter for the Medical Officer, Dr. Gleeson.  He stated that there was equal access to the hospital for all patients.  He stressed that 1.2 million Euro is to be spent locally.  The hospital beds will be increased from 33 to 40, a new Day Care Centre, Sheltered Housing and the premised recently purchased in the town.

Questions were then asked from the floor: 

• The issue of ‘Locomotion’ agency – if it wasn’t working – why not consider another method of advertising?  This was agreed on.

• It was felt that the premises purchased in the town would not be suitable for a Health Centre – lack of ground space, it was a 3-story building and parking would be a major problem.  The idea of housing the centre near the hospital would be a far better option and they should sell these premises.  It would be looked into.

• Why didn’t the Southern Health Board meet with Dr. O’Donovan when he was practising here in Beara - as promised by them?  Why wasn’t there a locum doctor appointed to cover weekends – thus relieving the 2 doctors of extra stressful hours?  These questions were never answered directly.

• Regarding the point about it being a problem in other rural areas – such as Listowel – they had 5 doctors and were looking for a 6^th – Beara only has 1.

Denis Regan then invited Dr. Gleeson to speak on the South Doc situation - should it ever happen in Beara? 

• Dr. Gleeson stated that the South Doc would not work here in the Beara Peninsula because the doctors would have to be based in Bantry when on call – leaving the peninsula without any doctor.  He was not prepared to do this and let his patients down – after spending 23 years here in Beara.  He then asked if he could clarify some issues that were topical.  He was a temporary Medical Officer for 19 years – doing 115 hours of work per week, only being made permanent 4 years ago – without a pension for those previous 19 years.  Rota is a major problem – most doctors that are now graduating are female and are not willing to put in the long hours.  Dr. Gleeson also stated that he had no problem with any doctor following their patients into the hospital.

• Cllr. Sheehan agreed with Dr. Gleeson about South Doc – it was not working in the Mizen Peninsula. 

• Cllr. Vivian O’Callaghan stated that the South Doc was only a pilot scheme in Bantry. 

• Cllr. John O’Shea reiterated the views of Cllr. Harrington and Sheehan and said that there is a crisis in Beara. 

• Deputy Denis O’Donovan asked Cllr. Vivian O’Callaghan, Pat Healy and Ger Reaney to try very hard to rectify the situation in Beara.

 Denis Regan in his closing summation thanked Deputy O’Donovan for arranging the meeting and everyone there for their attendance.  He stressed that while we may have a locum for the next 12 months – the situation itself was not resolved – it was only a short-term solution.  He called on the Southern Health Board to take on board the issues raised by the people of Beara and asked them to make sure that the position would be filled before Dr. Rautenbach’s contract has expired.  Beara Action Group will not let this die and will continue to lobby until all these issues are fully resolved.