The HSE has confirmed they are committed to maintaining eye care services at St Joseph's Care Centre in Longford Town. The Longford medical campus has lost access to two eye specialists. The issue has been raised by local representatives who have highlighted their anger over how patients, especially children, in Longford are being forced to travel long distances or take up private care to be seen.
Longford/Westmeath Fianna Fail TD Joe Flaherty raised the issue in the Dáil yesterday evening. Minister of State Mary Butler stated they're in the process of trying to recruit a full time replacement ophthalmologist, but the go ahead for a full-time Orthopist has not given:
Responding to the Minister, Deputy Flaherty criticised the HSE for approving a full-time replacement for the Orthoptist in close to a year. Addressing the Dáil, the Fianna Fail TD gave details of the children affected by the loss of the local service:
