Deputy Michael Healy Rae, TD has said he has been left disappointed by a response from the Health Service Executive (HSE) which has ruled out the possibility of providing the service of Pediatric Oncology on site in University Hospital Kerry (UHK).
Replying to a question from the Kerry TD the HSE stated that with regard to children in Kerry who currently require chemotherapy the long standing shared care arrangement in place between UHK and Crumlin Pediatrics Oncology Service would continue.
Pediatric Oncology is a very specialised area and currently there were no plans for this service to be provided in UHK – according to the reply.
Feelings of Disappointment
“I think disappointed may just about sum up my feelings on the response but for those Kerry parents of children who undergo the long travel to avail of this service which is a matter of life and death must be gutting,” said Deputy Healy Rae.
“These families have enough trauma in their lives beside the added expense of travel and finding accommodation.
“Really, Kerry children should be able to go to the UHK, get looked after and sleep in their beds at home that night. It’s a small comfort,” he said.
Hematologist and Social Worker Needed
Deputy Healy Rae has renewed his calls for a Hematologist in UHK along with a social worker in Kerry for sick children and their families.
“Why don’t we have access to the Hematologist in UHK it would be first step in getting the maintenance of chemo administered in Tralee and we must also provide a full time social worker in Kerry for sick children and their families,” he concluded.
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