Stradbally is 'short-changed' on health services

A HSE claim that Stradbally Health Centre does not need more services and longer opening hours has been rejected by a local councillor.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Vivienne Phelan said she disagreed with the HSE response, which was read out at the September meeting of Graiguecullen-Portarlington municipal district council, in reply to a council letter sent at her request last June.

“I feel Stradbally is being short-changed and I will be following it up with the HSE,” said Cllr Phelan.

The small health centre on Main Street opens just one morning a week, providing only public health nursing and community welfare services.

By contrast, the village of Emo has a five-day centre with GP and public health nursing, while other health centres around the county also have longer opening hours and offer additional services such as physiotherapy, chiropody and dental treatment.

Cllr Phelan initially highlighted the limited facilities at Stradbally Health Centre last June, when she asked Laois Co Council to write to health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to ask about plans for the centre. She also asked if the Stradbally centre would be considered for investment under the 2026 HSE capital plan.

The HSE response stated that Stradbally was not included in the capital plan because there was ‘no expression of need’.

Cllr Phelan commented that, on paper, it might appear that there was no need for expanded services but that was because people had to attend appointments elsewhere, because of the greatly reduced opening hours and limited services in Stradbally.

She said: “I was approached by people about the need for chiropody, which does not need a lot of specialist equipment. Another resident was asked to attend an appointment in Graiguecullen. It should be available closer to home.” 

When she initially raised the issue at the June municipal district meeting, Cllr Phelan pointed out that three new housing estates have opened in Stradbally, catering primarily for the elderly and those with disabilities.

She said: “Other health centres in the county offer services such as chiropody and physiotherapy and people shouldn’t have to travel for those appointments. We have to speak up about it. I think it is wrong that people living in our area have to travel for appointments, if they could be provided locally.” 

Cllr Paschal McEvoy agreed, saying that over 100 houses were built in Stradbally over the past three or four years and residents need more services.

According to HSE listings, Stradbally Health Centre opens for only three hours every Wednesday, with public health nursing available from 9.30am-10.30am and community welfare from 10.30am-12.30pm.