TEMPORARY nurse cover has been secured for Tory Island.
The news emerged last week that residents on Tory Island are to be left without a nurse for two weeks and were told to contact their GP or Nowdoc in the case of an emergency.
There are currently two full time nurses who work on the island on a two week rota basis.
It is believed that one of the nurses is currently off work, and there is no permanent cover available for their two week period.
However, it has now been confirmed there will be nurse cover on Tory Island from today (Monday) until at least next Wednesday.
The news was confirmed by manager of the Comharchumman on Tory Marjorie Carroll.
She told residents there will be an update next week, but in the case of an emegency, they are advised to contact the GP or NowDoc after surgery hours.
A spokesperson for the HSE said, “The nursing situation has been reviewed and there is nursing cover for Tory Island until June 22 2023 following which normal nursing services will resume.”
The news of no nurse cover had raised concern among locals who feared they would be forced to travel to the mainland for healthcare, while, the Island’s busy season is getting underway and there an increased number of people on the island.
Donegal TD Pearse Doherty said the lack of cover was ‘unacceptable’ and called on the HSE to provide essential cover.
He said he had contacted the Minister for Health and the HSE to ensure this does not happen again.
“I have been in contact to see if we can get confirmation that all is being done to address the situation.
“I have also demanded that provisions are put in place to stop this situation happening again.
“I understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise and that cover needs to be found.
“But it should never take the HSE two weeks to provide cover in such a remote area where it is absolutely essential for there to be nursing cover.
“It is so frustrating that this needs to be said.
“Tory is Ireland’s most remote island.
“It is not acceptable that we are telling people that they won’t be able to pick up prescriptions for two weeks and to travel to the mainland for health care.
“It is totally unacceptable that this is how our state continues to treat people living on our islands,” said Deputy Doherty.
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