‘Powerful’ public meeting demands restoration of full nursing service in Fahan

The concerned community served by Fahan Health Centre gathered for a public meeting in Fowler’s Hall on Monday evening. 

This meeting was called after it emerged that despite HSE assurances earlier this year, some patients were being advised that they would have to travel to Buncrana and Muff going forward.

Furthermore, those gathered heard that the building was being ‘cleared out’ and that signs had been removed.

The centre provides public health nurse services for the communities of Burnfoot, Inch, Tooban, Magherabeg and Fahan. There is grave concern that the removal of the service would impact particularly on older people who would not be able to travel to Buncrana.

Cathaoirleach of Inishowen MD, Cllr Jack Murray (SF) said that it was not acceptable that sick and elderly people would be put in that position.

Also among the public representatives present was Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn TD (SF). He said that reports from the community were concerning and not in keeping with the HSE’s assurances in March and in the interim that the facility would remain open. 

“We put in another question again,” he said. “And they are just maintaining; they are telling us that black is white.”

The meeting was organised by Carmel Lynch and Jackie Molloy, who both spoke passionately about the importance of the health centre.

They described the HSE’s actions as showing a ‘total disregard’ for the people of the area, and they called on local representatives to stand with the community. 

“We the people voted you in and we the people need you,” said Ms Lynch.

Speakers contributing to the meeting shared the many ways in which the public health nurse had assisted  families through difficult times, from support with newborn babies to those providing care in their homes. 

Cllr Murray has called on the HSE to provide ‘an actual long-term plan’ to retain the nurse in Fahan, and ‘not vague utterances’ which are not providing the reassurance that people need.

Following Monday evening’s meeting, he was full of praise for the organisers, and the councillor pledged his support to the campaign to maintain nursing services at Fahan. 

“Feeling determined after a powerful meeting in the Fowler Hall, demanding the restoration - in full - of nursing services in Fahan,” he shared on social media.

“Massive credit to Carmel Lynch and Jackie Molloy who made it all happen. 

“The community is now 100% united on this and ready to fight for local services.”

Cllr Murray had a particular mention for Sarah Robinson, Inch Island's oldest resident, who made a point of coming down to give her support. 

“We owe it to her and all those receiving care in the community, to campaign for health services to be as best as they possibly can be,” he said. 

As a result of the meeting, a committee was formed and a petition to the HSE signed by around 140 members of the community who were present at the meeting.