Written Answers. - Health Services.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:
171
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if he has satisfied himself that an adequate health service is being provided to the population of Inisboffin, Inisturk, Clare Island and Inisbiggle, off the Mayo coast; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, except for visits by public health nurses and doctors, no service or very little service is provided by dentists, opticians, chiropodists or counsellors on these islands; his views on this situation; the proposals, if any, he has to improve the position for 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2699/00]
The provision of health services to the populations of the islands in question off the Mayo coast is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board. The issue, therefore, of ensuring that the health needs of the communities involved are met is a matter for the board.
The Western Health Board has informed me that the situation with regard to the provision of the services to the islands referred to by the Deputy is as follows.
InisboffinInishboffin has a population of 150. There is a health centre on the island and one public health nurse is employed on Inisboffin. A chiropodist visits Inisboffin twice a year. Dental treatment and a full range of psychology services are provided in line with the rest of County Galway-Inisboffin lies within the Galway Community Care Area. Residents requiring ophthalmic services may attend at either Shantalla or Clifden health centres. Speech and language services are provided at Clifden health centre. The community welfare officer visits Inisboffin as required. The area medical officer visits Inisboffin every three years offering school vaccination programmes, developmental clinics and a school health screening service; the area medical officer also makes unscheduled visits as required. There are also weekly visits by a general practitioner.
InisturkInisturk has a population of 83. While the board does not currently have a health centre located there, it has purchased a site in 1999 and is in the process of planning a centre. One public health nurse is resident on the island and is employed for 20 hours per week. A chiropodist visits Inisturk as requested by the public health nurse. Inisturk is visited on a yearly basis by a dentist and a dental surgery assistant and children are brought to the dental clinic at Louisburgh for treatment. Ophthalmic services are not available on the island at present as there are no suitable facilities but such services are available at Westport health centre. The area medical officer, accompanied by a headquarters public health nurse, visits Inisturk regularly for a week offering school vaccination programmes, developmental clinics and a school health screening service. In between visits by the team to the island, children requiring developmental assessments or examinations for allowances travel to the mainland. The area medical officer also visits the island to assess applications for disabled persons housing grants – but these are rare. There are also plans for the health board psychologist to visit Inisturk this summer. At present, transport is provided for use by the public health nurse and visiting health board personnel. Inisturk is also visited by a general practitioner for one day in every three week cycle.
Clare IslandClare Island has a population of 136. There is a health centre and accommodation for the full time public health nurse. Transport is provided for the public health nurse and the general practitioner. The chiropodist attends annually and chiropody services are also provided at Westport health centre. An ophthalmologist visits annually providing a service for both adults and children. Clare Island is visited on a yearly basis by a dentist and a dental surgery assistant and children are brought to the dental clinic at Louisburgh for treatment. The psychologist has visited Clare Island and held appointments there over the last five years. The area medical officer, accompanied by a headquarters public health nurse, visits Inisturk regularly for a week offering school vaccination programmes, developmental clinics and a school health screening service. In between visits by the team to the island, children requiring developmental assessments or examinations for allowances travel to the mainland. There is a community welfare officer resident on the island providing a service there. The area medical officer also visits the island to assess applications for disabled persons housing grants – but these are rare. To avail of the speech and language therapy services, clients travel to Westport health centre. There are also weekly visits by a general practitioner.
InishbiggleInishbiggle has a population of 48. There is no health centre on the island but services are provided at a local national school which also serves as a community centre. During 1999 the premises were renovated in conjunction with FÁS and the materials were supplied by the Western Health Board. Arrangements are in place for the provision of transport to visiting health board personnel. Public health nursing services are provided from the mainland by a qualified public health nurse. Dental, chiropody and ophthalmic services are provided at Achill Sound Health Centre and speech and language therapy is provided at Westport health centre. Children from Inishbiggle are usually seen for developmental assessment and other medical examinations in Ballycroy health centre. The area medical officer also travels to the island for the disabled person's housing grant applications. A general practitioner visits Inisbiggle once each fortnight.
In addition to the foregoing, the Western Health Board has also advised me that the following is the position with regard to the provision of other health services, generally, for the islands:
Environmental Health ServicesA full service is provided for island populations although sometimes there are delays because of transport and weather conditions.
Physiotherapy ServicesWhile no physiotherapy services are provided on the islands at present discussions are ongoing at local level with regard to addressing this issue.
Occupational Therapy ServicesVisits are made to the islands as the need arises.
Social Work ServicesWhen referrals to the social work department are received they are assessed in the same way as all other referrals and if a home visit is required that will be arranged.
Psychology ServicesIn general every effort is made to see island based clients in their nearest health centre i.e. on the island when possible and practicable.
