CONCERN has been voiced that the busy village of Sneem will be left without a doctor when the long-serving GP retires in October.
Worried locals have started a petition which will be submitted to the Government and the HSE insisting that a replacement doctor is provided for the busy tourist area.
The local doctor, who has been the resident GP for 33 years, has been praised by locals as an “outstanding, caring and deeply committed professional”.
But, following his decision to retire, a statement issued on behalf of the community said: “We all know that Sneem needs a new doctor”.
It added: “Not only the elderly need a doctor, not only our pharmacy needs a doctor in order to stay open, not only the young families in the town and the many visitors we welcome each year, also the groceries and all the shops and businesses depend on the presence of a local doctor in Sneem”.
Local fears are exacerbated by the distance between the village and University Hospital Kerry or Cork University Hospital and the fact that it is a 40-minute journey to the nearest doctor in Kenmare.
Locals point out that not everybody has their own transport and there is no bus service to avail of.
The petition, which has already been signed by hundreds of people, is to be sent to Kerry’s five TDs who are to be lobbied for their support.
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