Carrigy and Cllr Nolan call for dialysis services to be provided at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Longford
Some patients must travel three times a week to Tullamore Hospital for dialysis treatment
Deputy Micheál Carrigy TD has joined with Cllr Peggy Nolan in calling for the urgent provision of dialysis services at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Longford, to reduce the significant hardship currently faced by patients in the county.
At present, some patients must travel three times a week to Tullamore Hospital for dialysis treatment, with each round trip covering approximately 160 km. For elderly patients in particular, this exhausting routine can take a serious toll on health and quality of life.
Deputy Carrigy said:
“I have been contacted by a constituent who, must travel to Tullamore three times a week for dialysis. This journey begins before 6 a.m. and does not end until mid-afternoon. It is simply too much to expect of elderly patients.”
He added that while the transport service provided is greatly appreciated, the cost to the health service of funding three long-distance journeys per patient, per week, every week of the year, is enormous.
“It makes far more sense to invest in dialysis equipment at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Longford, where space is available, than to continue paying endlessly for transport. Providing even two dialysis machines locally would improve efficiency, reduce costs, and most importantly, give patients the comfort and dignity of accessing life-saving treatment closer to home.”
Cllr Peggy Nolan, who has long advocated for enhanced services at St. Joseph’s, said this is a matter of fairness:
“For too long, Longford patients have had to endure unnecessary hardship in order to receive essential treatment. It is time to bring the service to the people, instead of forcing the people to travel such long distances.”
Deputy Carrigy confirmed that he has submitted a Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Health on the issue and will continue working with Cllr Nolan to press for the delivery of this vital service.