Healthcare boundary changes will impact services in Ferbane

Barbara Daly, a Fianna Fáil Local Election Candidate for the Birr/Ferbane Area has expressed serious concerns about recent healthcare boundary changes for access to Primary Care and Community Healthcare services in the Ferbane area, and says it will have a detrimental impact.

Ms. Daly has been contacted by a number of older persons in the community who received written notification at the end of September that these changes would commence with effect this week.

While it is understood that the changes are designed to improve quality, safety and effectiveness of care, she said elderly and vulnerable service users "are shocked by the lack of consultation and adequate notification of the changes."

She added that the manner in which vulnerable elderly persons were advised of significant, immediate changes in the delivery of home support services is particularly concerning" and has caused quite a degree of distress to those service users.

"Of further concern is the implementation of a boundary that see the residents of Ferbane town separated by the River Brosna - requiring them to access primary care services for children and adults in either Athlone or Banagher depending on which side of the bridge in the town they reside" pointed out Barbara Daly, who also higlighted the lack of regular public transport services from Ferbane to either Banagher or Athlone. "This calls into question the quality, safety and effectiveness of any care that can be delivered to the people of Ferbane who are impacted by the changes" she said.

Ms. Daly has drawn the attention of both Councillors Eamon Dooley and Peter Ormond to the concerns of residents, and they are seeking clarity from the HSE.