Clonmel ophthalmology vacancy
Deputy McGrath raised the unfilled ophthalmology post in Clonmel after Dr. Hillery’s retirement, saying the service gap was causing concern. The Taoiseach said he would raise it urgently with the Minister and the HSE chief executive.
I welcome Councillor Richie Molloy, a manager of Family Carers Ireland in south Tipperary, and the group from Clonmel to the Gallery.
My office has been inundated with calls about ophthalmology services in Clonmel in south Tipperary. I pay tribute, first, to Dr. Hillery who has retired. My office has received numerous complaints. We are informed that Dr. Hillery gave her notice of retirement in July and retired on 5 October. She has not been replaced and I also understand that the position has not been advertised.
It is unbelievable the HSE can operate in this manner. I understand the service was experiencing a two-year wait for appointments. This was before Dr. Hillery retired. How could this not be anticipated? A professional person who gave great service wished to retire and gave adequate notice, but the position was not even advertised. That is not fair to the people in Clonmel waiting for eye treatment. It is totally unfair. It beggars belief the HSE can operate in that fashion.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for raising the issue and wish Dr. Hillery all the best with her retirement. I take the point he made about the gap in service provision and the anxiety that is causing for people who need ophthalmology services. I will raise it directly with the Minister and the chief executive of the HSE and ask them to come back to the Deputy urgently.