Concerns have been expressed among elderly patients in Dungarvan - as a result of a HSE decision to transfer GP services to Cappoquin - following on from the retirement of Dungarvan-based doctor, Dr. James Stacey.
Patients of Dr. Stacey have been informed by the HSE that as Mr. Stacey is due to retire on the 6th of June, effective from next Monday - all patients will now be assigned to Cappoquin based GP, Dr. Derek Casey.
The health centre on Barrack Street, Cappoquin, from which Dr. Casey operates is 14km away from Dr. Stacey's practice on O'Connell Street in Dungarvan, meaning patients would have to take a 28km round trip to avail of GP services.
The decision from the HSE / South East Community Healthcare Group has been met with concern, with many citing issues of limited public transport options and the cost of travel.
Sinn Fein Councillor Conor McGuinness told the Dungarvan Observer that the situation is 'not acceptable' - and there has been no regard for 'specific medical needs' of those affected.
Joe Walsh has been a patient of Dr. Stacey for 45 years - and he outlined his personal situation on Deise Today.
"Both myself and my wife know no other doctor - we just kept with Dr. Stacey for the whole period. The problem is that Dr. Stacey is retiring on the 6th of June and my wife has received a letter from the HSE in Kilkenny - which I didn't get yet - saying that she has to attend a Dr. Casey in Cappoquin. We have nothing against Cappoquin or Dr. Casey - but we have a primary care centre here in Dungarvan and three practices of doctors."
Joe says that Dr. Stacey, like anyone who has given nearly 50 years service to the public is deserving of his retirement - and the retiring doctor has had no input on the decision to transfer his patients.
"Dr. Stacey is very welcome to retire now. He has done a fantastic job. He kept me alive over the past 45 years - always very well liked. It was always a very personal service, and as you can imagine when you are meeting someone with 45 years - you strike up a friendship as well. He was always very welcoming and would advise you on different things. It's just a pity - he had nothing to do with who we are getting now as doctors. I asked when I learnt that he was retired, what was going to happen? He distinctly told me that the HSE would notify me and assign me a doctor."
In a response to a query from Joe - the HSE told him that they are 'cognisant of the issues that some of Dr. Stacey's older patients will have.' They noted that it had proved difficult to source capacity within existing Dungarvan GP services.
As he can drive, Joe may not be as affected as some other patients - but he says individual circumstances must be taken into consideration.
"I'm in a happy position because I can drive. I can bring my wife and whoever wants to up to Cappoquin. There are several other people that can't. I know one particular guy here in Dungarvan - he never drove, cycled everywhere and now he is short-sighted. How is he going to get to Cappoquin even on a bus? The services might not blend in with appointments."
Speaking on Deise Today, Cappoquin Doctor Derek Casey who is set to take on the vast majority of Dr. Stacey's patients - said the situation is reflective of a national point of crisis.
"Dr. Stacey could have retired years ago - he has had a long and distinguished career, but it is kind of typical of what is going on across the country where older GPs are hanging on and on and on - and then it reaches a crisis point. The situation is that Dungarvan is absolutely choc-a-bloc apparently. We have patients coming from Dungarvan every day of the week that are looking to join our practice in Cappoquin. These are typically young families who have moved into the area and bought a house - patients who can't get a GP in Dungarvan, having tried all of the main practices."
Dr. Casey says his practice was likely chosen as it is one of few with capacity to inherit additional patients in the West Waterford area.
"We're lucky enough in the sense that we can still take on patients and I suppose that's where the situation has arisen. The HSE has tried every practice - we are the ones who are able to facilitate the patients. I understand the likes of Joe's situation, and people who cannot travel - but for anyone who is able to travel, we are more than willing to look after them."
Claims on social media pointed to a three-week wait time for appointments at the Cappoquin Health Centre, but this was refuted by Dr. Casey who says that issue is in fact only being experienced in Dungarvan.
"There's a lot of things on social media about three week waiting times for Cappoquin. Excuse the French, but that's pure bulls**t to be honest. We have plenty of appointments available. I understand that there are some three week waiting lists in Dungarvan - but that is not the case here in Cappoquin."
Patients should note that the Primary Care Unit of HSE / South East Community Healthcare (by phone at 056 778 4110) is available to assist with any queries.
