Rumours that West Cork SouthDoc is to close 'categorically untrue', says Fianna Fáil TD 

Rumours that SouthDoc in Clonakilty is to close down in two weeks’ time are “categorically untrue”, a TD for the area has said, calling on the people of the locality not to allow online speculation to thrive.

A video by Independent Ireland TD for Cork South West, Michael Collins, posted on Facebook at the weekend, said that he and his party colleague, councillor Daniel Sexton, have been told South Doc Clonakilty is to close.

“This will have devastating consequences” for the people living in Clonakilty and the surrounding areas, he said, adding that it will “lead to a loss of lives.

“We cannot take this lying down: The HSE continue to attack the people of West Cork,” Mr Collins said in the video, which had been viewed nearly 8,000 times and shared nearly 100 times by Monday afternoon.

Untrue

However, his constituency colleague, Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O’Sullivan, said this week: “It is categorically untrue that SouthDoc Clonakilty is being closed down on December 1.

“I spoke with the head of the HSE, Bernard Gloster, the regional head, Andy Philips, and head of community care management, Priscilla Lynch,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“All confirmed that there are no plans to alter service levels.

“The HSE head of community care, Priscilla Lynch, told me on Monday morning: ‘There is no intention and/or approval for such a service change.’”

Mr O’Sullivan added: “Access to local health services is essential for Clonakilty and maintaining this vital service is an absolute priority for me.”

Going forward, “to minimise the occurrence of online speculation”, Mr O’Sullivan said he would request that HSE management “engage in a community consultation process for any future proposed changes”.

Speculation

The speculation about SouthDoc follows rumours over the last few years that Bantry General Hospital is shutting down or that wards are closing.

Mr O’Sullivan said: “In reality, over the past five years, Cork South West’s hospitals have gone from strength to strength, with record investments, including a new endoscopy unit, 16-bed stroke rehabilitation unit, 24 new acute beds, and refurbished mental-health facilities.”

Mr Collins told The Echo: “We were out in force at the weekend, canvassing around Clonakilty, and GPs we met made it very clear to me that there was a meeting with the HSE where they discussed the closure of Clonakilty SouthDoc.

“They were obviously majorly concerned.

“Geographically, that would mean patients would be going to Bantry, Bandon, or waiting for an ambulance go to Cork,” he said, calling it “a bad and dangerous decision”.

Reliably informed

Mr Collins continued: “They might be rescinding it, now that it’s gone public, but I had two choices: Either do nothing and let it close or come out fighting and maybe save the service.

“I wouldn’t break this news if it wasn’t reliably informed to me by GPs in the locality.

“Now the HSE is running scared, but I’ve written to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, and I need to get a confirmation from him. Until I get it I won’t be happy.”

A HSE spokesperson told The Echo: “HSE South West is aware of social-media speculation about changes to SouthDoc services to people in Clonakilty.

“HSE South West confirms that there are no changes planned to out-of-hours GP services in Clonakilty,” the spokesperson said.