HSE reiterates plan to keep public health nursing in Fahan health centre

The HSE can confirm that on July 24,  they had a successful meeting with a number of public representatives for the area and representatives from the Fahan Health Centre Committee.

The purpose of the meeting was to ease any concerns raised by the group and to explain how the Public Health Nursing (PHN) service operates in the county and in particular the Fahan area.

The Fahan Area is now being managed by two PHNs and a Community Registered General Nurses (CRGNs) who cover the newly realigned area of Fahan, Buncrana lower and Muff West.

Client files were sorted into the realigned areas and sent to the Nurse(s) assigned to that area so that they would have access to notes for accurate record keeping.

The HSE reiterated that there are no plans to remove the PHN service from Fahan Health Centre and PHN services continue to be provided as defined by the needs of the patients in that area.

Given that community health nursing is predominantly a domiciliary service, the nurse will not always be available at the health centre. Appointments are scheduled in advance for the nurse depending on the patient’s needs.

The PHN service will continue to have a nurse providing a service to all in Fahan and the surrounding areas.

The Public Health Nursing Service is made up of a group of nurses i.e. both PHNs and CRGNs with differing skill sets and caseloads responsibilities. This is a pre- planned, non-emergency service provided in the home or by appointment in the health centre by nurses who have the skill set to provide the appropriate care for the needs of the patients.

Competencies in all skills required for the provision of a community service that is responsive to the needs of the population, are maintained through regular exposure of nurses to all nursing interventions, and through mandatory training and upskilling.

“I feel that the engagement with the HSE was very positive and constructive. In a collective effort, we put forward the widespread concern among the communities affected and this was taken on board and accepted by the HSE” stated Councillor Jack Murray

“Our primary objective was to obtain assurances that Fahan Health Centre would remain open and that there would be no dilution of nursing services locally. I am happy that we got that. I hope that can come as a relief to those with loved ones depending on nursing care.”

The HSE will continue to liaise and engage locally with this group.

The people of Fahan also sought further assurances on a few more specific matters and agreed that that would be addressed in writing by the end of the week. They await that response.

The PHN service operates a Monday to Friday service from 9am to 5pm. If you wish to make an appointment to see the Nurse in the Fahan Health centre please Tel: 074 93 31597 leave a voicemail and the Nurse will return your call, voicemails left after 10.30am will be dealt with the following day.