Wallace warning: ‘Hands off our health centre!’

The HSE should review the position of Rochfortbridge Health Centre and ensure its vital services are maintained for the local users, say two local politicians.

Minister Peter Burke and Cllr Emily Wallace and to see action: “This health centre has been in operation for generations, it serves a wide geographical area of mainly elderly patients. It is unacceptable that this centre would close and users be directed to other locations,” said Cllr Wallace.

“I know this is a worrying topic of concern locally and I have put this query to the HSE. I am not convinced that they are planning to keep the health centre open. They have said that there is no room for expansion of this centre, but I don’t believe they have reviewed the area for credible alternative locations for the centre instead of removing it from Rochfortbridge.

“It is difficult for those who have no transport to access vital services. Surely, in these times of Covid protocols, there would be a much better use of HSE premises if services continued to be spread throughout the county, instead of directing people to already busy locations of Kinnegad or Kilbeggan.”

Minster Burke added: “The population of Rochfortbridge deserve certainty regarding their health centre. The elderly and medically vulnerable should be facilitated locally, with a local service. I know they greatly value their local health centre, and rightly so. I will continue to work with the HSE to ensure it continues to fulfil it’s vital role post pandemic.”

HSE statement

Minister Burke received the following reply to a representation regarding Rochfortbridge Health Centre from the office of the chief officer, Midlands Louth Meath Community Health Organisation, based at the HSE offices in Tullamore.

Dear Minister Burke,

The Health Services Executive has been requested to reply directly to you in the context of the above representation which you recently submitted.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the following services were available at Rochfortbridge Health Centre

• Podiatry services were arranged every six weeks by Rochfortbridge Social Services Council (who also used the Health Centre for their regular meetings).

• The Department of Social Protection operated a Community Welfare Clinic one afternoon per week.

• Nursing services were provided where deemed clinically appropriate.

Since the beginning of March 2019, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, no services have operated from the Health Centre by Rochfortbridge Social Services Council or the Department of Social Protection. The Health Centre remains available for use to both services. Since the beginning of the pandemic, no nursing activity has taken place in Rochfortbridge Health Centre as no clients have been deemed clinically appropriate to attend.

The purpose and function of all health centres are routinely reviewed in the context of providing assurance to both clients and staff of the HSE that services are being provided in an appropriate setting. There are no plans to develop the Rochfortbridge Health Centre on the basis that (1) the site is not suitable for expansion (2) the building was designed as a family home within a housing estate and does not lend itself to a configuration appropriate to the provision of a modern health service that is accessible to all and (3) there is a modern fully compliant and operational Primary Care Centre located in Mullingar and Kinnegad and another at the design stage for Kilbeggan. Rochfortbridge is located half way between Kinnegad and Kilbeggan and will be well served with three modern Primary Care Centres once Kilbeggan is completed. In the meantime all clients will continue to receive public health nursing services in Kinnegad Primary Care Centre or, where deemed clinically appropriate, home visits will take place.

There is no imminent decision on the future of the existing health centre and this may be looked at in due course.

We will continue to review all our services and locations during the Pandemic.

Should you have any further questions please do no hesitate in linking in with me.