Progress as key Tipperary eye care posts move forward after year of delays
Permanent consultant role and new optometrist post approved to boost local eye care
Two long-delayed eye care posts in South Tipperary are finally moving forward after months of uncertainty, offering hope for improved services and shorter waiting times for patients.
The HSE has confirmed that the Consultant Ophthalmologist post for South Tipperary will now be filled on a permanent basis. The role had initially been advertised as temporary, prompting concern that this would discourage qualified applicants.
Following the change, a substantial number of applications have already been received, and the recruitment process is now advancing to interviews, with reference checks and Garda vetting to follow.
Following the retirement of the previous occupant last year the waiting list for appointments in the area has risen to more than 2,300 children.
In a related development, the long-awaited Optometrist position for the region has also been approved by both the Local and Regional Employment Control Groups. The post is now in the HSE recruitment pipeline and is expected to be advertised in the coming weeks.
Deputy Murphy along with fellow Tipperary South TD’s Seamus Healy and Mattie McGrath have been campaigning to appoint a replacement with the HSE and the Minister for Health on the issue.
“These are vital steps forward for eye care services in South Tipperary which has been neglected for over 12 months now,” said Deputy McGrath.
He added that filling both positions will play a crucial role in tackling the growing backlog of children awaiting eye care appointments. “I will continue to monitor the progress of both posts to ensure that recruitment is completed without further delay and that children in our region receive the timely and quality eye care they deserve,” he said.