Leslie O’Hora outlines a number of issues affecting the Carrick-on-Shannon area
Green Party candidate notes medical recruitment shortages in Leitrim
Green Party candidate in the Carrick-on-Shannon Local Electoral Area, Leslie O'Hora, has raised a number of issues affecting people in the wider Carrick-on-Shannon area ahead of this Friday's local election, on June 7.
Leslie said he has noted a huge shortfall in medical recruitment locally.
“In speaking to recruiters in the North West region they tell me they are in a crisis when it comes to filling their medical personnel vacancies. Up to 20% of jobs are not being filled.
“This is all due to the Department of Finance embargo on new healthcare appointments. Posts for doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, community care, physiotherapists and dieticians remain unfilled.
“This ‘punishment’ by the Department of Finance is impacting on the lives of ordinary people who are not responsible for the overrun by Government departments. This childish inter-departmental behaviour needs to stop,” he said.
Leslie also said that speaking to clients who are on kidney dialysis in the Carrick-on-Shannon and South Leitrim area is tough.
“Whilst waiting for a necessary kidney transplant they are undergoing extreme hardship. In particular, having to travel over 60 kilometres to Sligo and back three times a week is so exhausting.
“It's time to review the possibility of having local kidney dialysis available. It would be a ‘game changer’ to their quality of life,” he said.
In another medical issue, Leslie said there is now help for a taboo subject in Carrick-on-Shannon. “Over half of us suffer from urinary incontinence (leaky bladders) at some stage in our lives. So great news for those living in and around Carrick-on-Shannon.
“A new UI team will shortly be available at the Primary Care Centre. The team of three will be able to offer a range of treatments to tackle the issue. Further details can be obtained from your GP,” he said.
Meanwhile, he will continue to explore what other SMART Healthcare Services can be made available to people locally.
Finally, he said there is great news for Sligo line rail passengers. All train services on the route will stop at Bloombridge in Dublin thus giving instant access to the Luas network.