Huge discrepancy in patients seen at Cork Southdoc clinics

DATA provided by the HSE shows there was a difference of 2,678 patients seen between two Cork city Southdoc facilities in one month of this year.

The documents, which were acquired through the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI), show that in March, 265 patients were seen at the Southdoc Blackpool facility, in comparison to 2,943 seen at the treatment centre on the Kinsale Road.

In April of last year, 665 patients were seen at the Blackpool location, which began to steadily decline month on month, with 633 seen in May; 549 in June; 499 in July; 543 in August; 322 in September; 317 in October; 195 in November; 222 in December; 235 in January of this year, and 267 in February of this year.

This decline is reflected in the increase seen at Kinsale Road, which saw 2,080 people in April of last year; 1,946 in May; 1,838 in June; 1,822 in July; 1,789 in August; 1,707 in September; 2,564 in October; 2,741 in November; 2,874 in December; 2,343 in January of this year, and 2,400 in February of this year.

The data also showed that more than €7.5m in funding is allocated to the 23 Southdoc facilities across Cork and Kerry annually, which is provided to the service in monthly instalments.

Barrier

Sinn Féin Cork City North West Ward councillor Michelle Gould said the HSE has failed to tackle the decline in patients seen at Blackpool, describing it as “a barrier to healthcare” for those living in the northside of the city.

“The HSE are continuing to pay Southdoc monthly instalments adding up to millions of euro every year. This is despite the fact that Southdoc Blackpool is effectively closed and has been for months now.

“We can clearly see that as the numbers of patients attending Blackpool have declined, the numbers going to Kinsale Road have increased," she added.

“People haven’t just left the northside, they are being told that they can’t see a doctor in Blackpool.

“That is a real stress for people. [They] simply cannot afford to pay for taxis to the Kinsale Road.”

Ms Gould said she is deeply frustrated by the decline in services, and believes it is now time for the HSE and the government to intervene and instruct Southdoc to provide a full service in Blackpool.

“That is what they are being paid to do and it must happen now,” she said.

No reduction

A spokesperson for HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare (CKCH) said that both Southdoc and the HSE have “no plans to withdraw” the availability of or access to services in Cork city for patients in the northside.

“It is important to emphasise that if an individual in Cork city requires care, that care will be provided by appointment in either the Blackpool or Kinsale Road treatment centre, or via home visit,” the spokesperson said.

“There is no reduction in service to city patients and existing resources can meet the demand comfortably.

“The SouthDoc treatment centre facility in Blackpool continues to be by appointment.”

Asked if there was a reason for such a decline seen at the Blackpool facility, the spokesperson for HSE CKCH said: “This is an operational question for Southdoc and we suggest you link in with them.”

Southdoc has been contacted for further comment on the matter.