4. Notices of Motion
(a) Cllr Norma Moriarty moved the following Motion, standing in her name:
“That we ensure that the Cunamh Iveragh Respite Centre in Cahersiveen Co Kerry, serving all of Kerry be open on a seven day a week basis as opposed to its current three day a week service.”
A written response from Ms Julie O’Neill, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager Kerry, HSE South West was circulated to members and noted. Cllr Moriarty welcomed the fact that a funding submission to open the centre on a full time basis is currently under consideration and advised that this application has her full support. Dr. Andy Philips, Regional Executive Officer, said the provision of additional respite services is a top priority for him and he hopes that recent work carried out as part of a codesign workshop with service providers and the families of service users will result in additional funding being made available to the region for this purpose. Ms. Priscilla Lynch, Integrated Health Area Manager Cork South and West, informed the members that HSE South West is actively working to increase both traditional and alternative respite options for disability service users, as well as working to increase the number of residential placements available in Kerry and Cork.
(b) Cllr Peter Horgan moved the following Motion, standing in his name:
“That any work the HSE is conducting in tackling vaping as a Public health issue will also include nicotine pouches which are being targeted towards minors also as a tobacco alternative.”
A written response from Ms Priscilla Lynch, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager Cork South and West, HSE South West was circulated to members and noted. Cllr. Peter Horgan thanked Ms. Lynch for her response and he commended the HSE for its working in alerting the public to the dangers of vaping and vaping products. Several members expressed their concern at the marketing of vaping products which is primarily focus on targeting young people. Ms. Lynch advised that new legislation is prepared which will strengthen the laws around the marketing and sale of vaping products and specifically address the marketing and accessibility of vaping products to children and young people.
(c) Cllr Deirdre Ferris moved the following Motion, standing in her name:
“Following a previous motion I had regarding the vacant HSE buildings in Kerry, how many premises in Kerry are being leased by the HSE and what is the cost of the leased premises and the maintenance costs of the vacant premises?”
A written response from Mr. Daniel Clifford, Regional Director of Capital and Estates HSE South and West, was circulated to members and noted. Cllr. Deirdre Ferris noted that HSE South West spends a significant amount of funding each year leasing premises and she would prefer to see this funding being invested in repurposing existing facilities. While welcoming the decision to sell a number of premises which are no longer required, Cllr. Ferris would like to see the decision making process around the use of such premises speeded up as it takes funding to maintain and secure these buildings while a decision on their future use is being made. Dr. Andy Philips stated that HSE South West has an ongoing programme of modernisation for older premises which we retain and still require, and he would like to see any premises which are surplus to requirements being disposed of under the DPER protocols as speedily as possible.
(d) Cllr Marie Moloney moved the following Motion, standing in her name:
“At the last forum meeting I asked a question regarding the huge delay in the opening of the Community Nursing unit in Killarney. I asked was there a fire safety issue or what exactly were the issues causing delays. I was advised by the HSE Officials that they would find out answers to these questions and revert back to me. I have yet to receive a reply can we the members have a reply please.”
A written response on both motions from Mr Daniel Clifford, Director of Estates, HSE South West was circulated to members and noted. In Cllr Moloney’s absence the motion was taken as read.
(e) Cllr Dominic Finn moved the following Motion, standing in his name:
“To ask the HSE for a full update as to the services now being provided at Cobh Primary Care Centre and a timeline also for services currently not being provided but due to be rolled out.”
A written response from Ms Priscilla Lynch, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager Cork South and West, HSE South West was circulated to members and noted. In Cllr Finn’s absence the motion was taken as read.
(f) Cllr Mikey Sheehy moved the following Motion, standing in his name:
“That this Forum calls on the HSE South to establish dedicated Crisis Intervention Teams in County Kerry to provide timely, community-based mental health support and thereby reduce the number of individuals presenting at Accident & Emergency Departments in acute distress.”
A written response from Ms Priscilla Lynch, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager Cork South and West, HSE South West was circulated to members and noted. Cllr Sheehy thanked the HSE Management for the report and said that busy Emergency Departments were not the best place for people dealing with mental health issues and he felt that a timely and compassionate intervention in the community would be preferable and would lead to better outcomes. Cllr Sheehy queried when the Crisis Resolution Team (CRT) will be fully operational in Kerry and if there are plans to link the team win Primary Care Centres and Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT) across the county over time. He also asked the where the drop in crisis café’s be located in Kerry and what their opening hours will be. Dr. Philips agreed that Emergency Departments may not always be the most appropriate environment for people experiencing mental distress, however community supports such as the crisis cafes and CMHTs do not operate on a 24/7 basis so there will always be a need for a mental health service in our EDs. The new IHA structures will provide a more integrated approach to the delivery of mental health services across our hospital and community based services. Dr. Philips welcomed the development of the crisis cafes and said that the Solace Café in Cork has a great success. Ms. Lynch welcomed Minister Butler’s recent announcement of investment for the Kerry CRT and recognised the support of Cllr. Sheehy and other councillors in advocating for this development. She explained that the CRT will strengthen existing services and contribute to a fully integrated, whole-system approach to mental health care. Recruitment for the Kerry CRT is already underway, and the local model will align with national best practice standards. The location and operating hours of the crisis cafes will be looked at by the Steering Group which has been established to progress this initiative.
(g) Cllr Ann Bambury moved the following Motion, standing in her name:
“I, call on the HSE South West to urgently address the inadequacy of bed provision at Bandon Community Hospital, which serves as a vital healthcare facility for Bandon and the wider West Cork region.”
A written response from Ms Priscilla Lynch, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager Cork South and West, HSE South West was circulated to members and noted. Cllr Bambury appreciated the response but felt it did not address the need for additional bed provision at the hospital. She stated that there are waiting lists for all of the community hospitals and nursing homes in the West Cork area. With an aging population in the region, there is a need for more investment in older persons services so that people can age with dignity in their own homes or in a long term care bed that is located close to the family and community. The Bandon area requires more long stay beds and there is space on the community hospital grounds to provide these beds.
Ms Lynch agreed with Cllr Bambury that it is preferable that individuals receive care in their own homes or close to their homes and this is in line with Sláintecare. Bandon Community Hospital has had significant investment which, while not providing additional beds, did provided single bed rooms for the dignity of care of its residents. It is acknowledged that there is a need for more long term beds in West Cork and in other parts of the HSE South West. Ms Lynch informed members that the HSE South West Dept of Public Health will attend the next South West Committee meeting to give a presentation on population profiles and the population health planning models that will inform future service delivery plans, including Older Persons services. Dr Phillips welcomed Cllr Bambury’s advocacy and stated that the HSE South West is continually trying to enhance our community and residential services for our older population.
(h) Cllr Jackie Healy Rae moved the following Motion, standing in his name:
“Can the HSE please confirm the opening date of the new Community Hospital in Killarney.”
A written response from Mr Daniel Clifford, Director of Estates, HSE South West was circulated to members and noted. Cllr Healy-Rae stated that the reply still does not provide a timeline for when the Unit will operational. He recognises that HSE management also want and need this building operational but he would like to see a more definitive timeline set out. Ms Lynch acknowledged the members frustration at the delay in opening and said that HSE South West management share these frustrations. She assured the members that the HSE is doing everything within its power to open the Unit as soon as possible and engagement with HIQA around the registration of the unit has already commenced.