LETTER: Hospital issue is no surprise
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Wednesday September 01 2010
Sir, The controversy over the expected opening of the recently-built Community Hospital at Dingle was no surprise to me.
For very many years, under the Health Acts, a District Hospital served the town and its catchment area. It operated under the control of a Health Authority, which consisted not only of the Department of Health, but also of the Council of the County of Kerry, of which I was a member,
When a serious problem arose, it was a matter for the County Health Authority and the Department of Health to enter into discussions and, within a short time, a satisfactory decision was arrived at.
T he site for the new hospital was acquired without a problem and there was no objection to planning permission being granted. In addition, the State provided €16 million funding. Why then has the opening being postponed? Will the new 'Community Hospital' provide the same services as the old 'District Hospital'?
The District Hospital serviced the Dingle Peninsula from its tip back to Keel and Derrymore Bridge and only emergencies needed to go outside this area. What is the catchment of the Community Hospital? We have not been told.
Also, when the new hospital is opened, what is going to happen to the old building? Sincerely, James Courtney, Castlegregory, Co. Kerry.
