Mayo Fianna Fail general election candidate Cllr Lisa Chambers has again condemned the downgrading of rheumatology services at Mayo General Hospital. In a pre-election newsletter, due to be distributed this weekend, she reveals that 850 outpatient rheumatology appointments were cancelled in Merlin Park in July and August, leaving many patients with their appointments rescheduled next December.
"All of this comes with the HSE admission that the promised appointment of a rheumatology consultant at Mayo General Hospital has been shelved," she says. "The HSE has confirmed to me that the Castlebar appointment will now be filled instead in Manorhamilton, with Mayo General Hospital being covered on a visiting basis only" went on Chambers.
Cllr Chambers, who will join outgoing TD Dara Calleary on the Fianna Fail ticket, is also a member of the HSE West forum, where she has been campaigning strongly for the retention and improvement of services at Mayo General Hospital. In the newsletter, Cllr Chambers also urges qualifying parents to apply immediately for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, saying: "I am very much aware of the financial burden on parents every September when sending their children back to school. The cost of uniforms and footwear places a severe strain on family finances, especially when so many parents are struggling just to meet day to day expenses". " The allowance is €100 for each eligible child between four and 11, and €200 between 12 and 22. I urge parents to apply for the allowance, if they have not done so already, before the closing date of September 30."
