New Kerry medical facility sparks town tension – ‘Killarney makes no sense'
Sinn Féin Councillor Paul Daly tabled a motion at a recent Tralee MD meeting when he asked the council to meet with management at University Hospital Kerry (UHK) to discuss plans for the proposed MIU in the town.
Such a facility would cater for the rising population in Tralee and help ease pressure at UHK's Accident & Emergency Unit where patients are waiting unreasonable amounts of time for treatment.
According to the HSE website, MIUs treat non-life-threatening cases that are unlikely to require admission to hospital.
They are designed to help many of the injuries that people go to the emergency department with – such as broken bones, dislocations, and minor burns. Usually, MIU's will offer treatment such as x-rays, plaster casts, and wound care.
Cllr Daly demanded an update on the matter saying reports of the MIU going to Killarney is unacceptable given the larger population in Tralee and its environs.
'This is a huge issue for the town. I've heard reports that this, possibly, is going to be located in Killarney rather than in Tralee,' he said.
'I don't know how this can happen when the facts and figures show that 70 per cent of the people using A&E are living in and around the Tralee area, North Kerry, and West Kerry. It makes no sense to bring it to Killarney,' Cllr Daly said.
He explained that if a new MIU were based in Killarney, it would only result in doubling the journey for patients in cases where they require ongoing hospital treatment.
'They would only be coming back to Tralee again if their minor injuries are considered serious enough that they must use A&E. Where and when was this decision made? What can be done about it?' Cllr Daly asked.
Tralee MD management said this is a matter for consideration by the elected members. Cllr Daly's motion was seconded by Cllr Deirdre Ferris.
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