SouthDoc playing ‘Russian Roulette' in Kinsale

A KINSALE councillor has told The Southern Star that SouthDoc is playing ‘Russian roulette’ with people’s lives in Kinsale as the out-of-hours family doctor service is not fully available in the town.

Cllr Kevin Murphy (FG) proposed a motion at this week’s meeting of Cork County Council, where he called for the immediate full restoration of SouthDoc in Kinsale. 

At present, people contacting SouthDoc are being directed to go to Bandon, which is 10 miles away, he said.

‘This is a huge problem for Kinsale and it beggars belief with the size of Bandon and Kinsale, that they are now serviced by just one SouthDoc. It’s a no-brainer and I’m calling for the restoration of SouthDoc in Kinsale. You can get a vet faster than you get a doctor in most towns in the county,’ said Cllr Murphy.

‘You could be waiting hours for SouthDoc to come from Bandon if you are living in Kinsale, and we should not allow this to happen without our consent and knowledge.’

Speaking to The Southern Star, Cllr Murphy said SouthDoc was now ‘playing Russian roulette with peoples’ lives’ in the Kinsale area, and they shouldn’t have to put up with it.

‘At the moment if people in Kinsale contact SouthDoc they are asked to go to Bandon if they can, and only in an emergency are they told to go to Kinsale. But that is only for a consultation in a room that SouthDoc rent in a medical centre there,’ added Cllr Murphy.

Cllr Rachel McCarthy (SF) also supported the motion and said she would like to see the use of community hospitals as a place to provide an out-of-hours family doctor service. 

Youghal-based Cllr Mary Linehan Foley said it was the same situation in her home town whereby people have to travel to SouthDoc in Midleton and she sympathised with her West Cork colleagues.

‘Can we amend the motion to ask for someone from the HSE or SouthDoc to come into the chamber and explain how it is run?’ she asked.

Cllr Murphy said he would agree to an amendment of his motion to call for SouthDoc representatives to come to a Council meeting.