HSE 'now sending Athlone-area residents to Longford' for appointments
Local councillors have voiced frustration over what they said was a change to the HSE's outpatient service boundaries that has resulted in residents close to Athlone now being sent to Longford for appointments.
The issue was affecting locals who had previously been attending day services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy in Athlone, according to Cllr Frankie Keena.
At this month's meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District, Cllr Keena said he knew of people in areas such as Tang and Drumraney whose appointments were now being scheduled for Longford, and this was causing "deep stress and annoyance".
"The HSE has introduced a new geographical boundary for outpatient day services which are now having a hugely negative impact on some members of the public," said the Fianna Fáil councillor.
"I am aware that people living less than 12 kilometres from Athlone, in the Drumraney and Tang areas, are now being directed to attend services in Longford, which is approximately 36 kilometres from their home.
"This is causing huge inconvenience to these families from a travel cost and time cost perspective, including the added stress of travelling in bad weather to Longford."
He also noted that there was now increased focus on climate change, and that asking people to travel further for appointments "goes completely against the grain of good practice in relation to addressing the climate issue".
Furthermore, Cllr Keena said he understood some Offaly residents, in areas such as Cloghan and Ferbane, were having similar appointments moved to Athlone instead of Tullamore.
He requested that a letter be sent asking a senior HSE official to attend a meeting of the Athlone Moate district on order to provide "clarity" on the new geographical boundaries, explain the rationale for them, and introduce "a more acceptable geographical reach" for the public attending day services in Athlone, Longford and Tullamore.
The motion from Cllr Keena was supported at the meeting, with Cllr Vinny McCormack saying he had already been "in contact with the Minister's office" on this issue.
"I understand that the HSE are constantly trying to streamline services, but this particular (change) seems very strange," said Cllr McCormack.
"I know of cases of people who are within six or seven kilometres of Athlone and now have these services, whether it be occupational therapy or speech and language, being moved to Longford and Ballymahon.
"It certainly doesn't make sense. There are no natural transport links from areas like Ballymore, Drumraney and Tang to Longford.
"Along that route, we have a brilliant new bus service, with seven complete journeys a day, to bring people to these appointments (in Athlone), and now they're being redirected towards Longford."
Cllr McCormack said the chairperson of the HSE's Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO) 8, which covers the Midlands, should be asked to come in and discuss the change.
"We might not be able to get this fully turned around, but maybe we could at least get some leeway and get cases looked at on a case-by-case basis," he said.
Cllr Tom Farrell mentioned that he knew of someone who was just a few kilometres outside Athlone and had been previously bringing a person into the town for appointments.
"If she is asked to go to Longford, that's half a day gone, and there's extra cost involved. I've asked the HSE that, in cases where people have already been coming into Athlone, they would be allowed to continue coming to Athlone," said Cllr Farrell.
It was agreed that Athlone Moate district would write to the HSE and ask for an official to address an upcoming district meeting in relation to the change.