Removal of HSE Podiatry service is affecting health of elderly and ill people

Podiatry patients in the wider Ballyshannon and Bundoran hinterland must now travel to Sligo to avail of this much needed service. 

Furthermore, the decision to close the clinic was taken without patients being informed.

That is according to Cllr Michael McMahon (SF) who voiced his anger and concern at the May meeting of the Municipal District (MD) of Donegal.

He said: “The HSE removed the podiatry service from the Bayview practice in Ballyshannon. They never signed off and they never told patients. 

“The clinic was taking in people from Rossnowlagh, Ballintra, Cavangarden, Kinlough.

“You had some people who were waiting on appointments and they weren’t even told that the clinic had closed.”

The podiatrist has been relocated to a clinic at Ballytivnan in Sligo.

Cllr McMahon said: “All the people who used the service now have to go to Sligo. A lot of them don’t drive and don’t have transport. They need to try and get someone to take them, and with the cost of fuel and parking and the time to go to Sligo, it is a lot to have to ask someone. 

“There is space in the Bayview practice for this and they are asking old people and people with medical conditions and poor mobility to travel to Sligo.

“I want to be very clear on this - it is the wrong decision. 

“The whole thing has been very badly handled and there is only one solution.

“I am asking for it to be rescinded and to bring the podiatry service back to Ballyshannon.”