Morning Focus began with a look at a breaking news story. Shannondoc has announced a significant scaling back of services in East, West and North Clare. The changes are being blamed on a shortage of doctors, and will be introduced in the coming weeks. The out-of-hours GP service says a shortage of doctors means it's no longer able to maintain existing service levels. These changes will see the Killaloe clinic now serviced by a mobile doctor during the week, opening on an 'as needs basis.' It will open for just four hours on weekend afternoons, with patients being seen at Limerick, Ennis and Nenagh centres outside these hours. Shannondoc's Kilrush and Ennistymon services will re-locate to Miltown Malbay during weekdays, and while both centres will be open at weekends, they will close two hours earlier, at 7 each evening instead of 9. Shannondoc chairman Dr. Pat Morrissey has said the continuing decline in GP numbers in rural areas is a worrying trend, and warns further changes may be enforced in the future unless the matter is addressed. Gavin spoke with Dr Pat Morrissey, Chairman Shannondoc, to get the full story.
Gavin was then joined by Dr Michael Harty, Indepdendent TD, and Michael McNamara, Barrister & former Lab. TD, to discuss the matter further.
Gavin then spoke about the scourge of illegal dumping is one that we've talked about many times on this show. What's known as 'backyard burning' is also a major problem and it's one that Clare County Council is having increasing success in detecting. Last month at Ennis District Court, a four-month suspended sentence was handed down after an individual was found to have burned waste on a large scale in the North Clare area. To talk about the dangers of this practice, Gavin was joined by Patrick Mullane, Waste Enforcement Officer with Clare County Council.
Gavin then spoke with Cllr Ian Lynch, Ind. West Clare MD, and Cllr Tony O’Brien, FF. Chairperson, Killaloe MD to further discuss the scale back of Shannondoc services.
Morning Focus then looked at a huge storm sweeping across the Caribbean that has killed at least nine people. Hurricane Matthew's brought winds of 145 miles-an-hour to parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It's heading to Cuba – while people in parts of the south-east US are also on alert. Fr Ned Crosby, the Parish Priest of Kilfenora, has been heavily involved in fundraising for Haiti – one of the world's poorest countries, and has been there a number of times. Fr Ned Crosby, PP Kilfenora, joined Gavin on the line.
Gavin then spoke about the discovery this week of the bodies of two elderly brothers has shocked, not just their neighbours in their Dublin housing estate, but the entire country. The bodies of William and Daniel McCarthy, who were in their 70s, and were both deaf, were found at their home after neighbours reported that Newspaper reports suggest one of the men had died some time ago – the other brother more recently. Foul play isn't suspected, but the tragic incident has prompted calls for greater vigilance when it comes to isolated elderly people. Gerry Kelly, Clare Age Friendly & former Assistant Garda Commissioner & Garda Superintendent in the Clare Division, joined Gavin on the show.
Morning Focus then took a look at childhood obesity. A recent study found that children in formal childcare settings, like creches, had a more regulated system of meals and snacks, with healthy-eating policies in place. This wasn't the case in more informal settings. The study also suggested the best way for parents with informal childcare arrangements was to plan meals in advance and avoid a situation where carers simply give their charges whatever is available. To discuss the findings, Gavin was joined on the line by Laura Erskine from Mummypages.ie.
The next guest on Morning Focus lives with an issue that causes him constant pain that severely affects his quality of life. Eoghan Holland has trigeminal neuralgia. That's a condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain. Even mild stimulation of the face — like something as simple as brushing your teeth -— can trigger a jolt of excruciating pain. Despite this, Eoghan is working to raise awareness and advocate for hundreds of fellow sufferers around the country.
**Friday (Oct. 7) is International Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day. Famous landmarks around the globe – including the Niagra Falls; as well as buildings around Ireland, will be lit up in the colour 'teal' (a shade of blue) to mark the event. Eoghan Holland.
Morning Focus then looked at two people who have been working on a project that celebrates the older generation of Clare. ‘First Citizens Speak’ is a 30 minute film that explores the contentedness of older people and asks them to share their wisdom and their council with us. Started in 2011 the film was first released last May in Glór, Ennis it is now being re-released as the 1st part of a series called ‘Seanfhocail’ which focuses on Clare’s older generation, you can catch it at X-PO in Kilnaboy tonight (Thurs., Oct. 6) at 8pm and it’s a free event. Dr Fergus Glynn, GP Corofin, and Deirdre O’Mahony joined Gavin on the line to speak about their project.
This weekend the Mid West Simon Community is holding its annual trek along the Clare Coast to raise awareness of the homelessness crisis and to raise funds to continue their work. With two offices in Clare; in Wood Quay in Ennis and Place de Plourzane in Kilrush, the charity says the number of people who are now seeking help and support at both locations grows daily. **Joining the walk costs €25 per person per day or €40 for the two days – with pensioners and students paying €10. Pat Sweeney of Cliffs of Moher Guided Walks and the experienced walkers of the Ballyvaughan/Fanore Walking Group will be guiding the treks over the two days. Both days’ walks are all off road. Registrations can be made on Eventbrite.ie; by calling the office in Ennis on 065 682 0133, or Kilrush 065 908 0871 or Limerick 061 608 980. Participants call also register on the day. Jackie Bonfield, Midwest Simon, Gerry Reidy President of the Ballyvaughan/Fanore Walking Group, both joined Gavin on the show to promote the trek.
The recent success of the Clare Ladies Seniors football team in reaching an All Ireland final has shown the young players across the county what can be achieved with hard work, commitment and team work. The Clare U13s under the guidance of Maria O Loughlin, James McNamara & Mike Roughan are working hard in anticipation of the U14 All Ireland Championship starting in early 2017. **As part of this preparation, the girls are organising an exciting night of Bingo and Spot Prizes this Friday (Oct., 7) in the Woodstock Hotel at 8pm. Tickets are €10 and all money raised will be used to support the girls as they commit to the winter training schedule. Maria O'Loughlin, Clare U-13 management team, came on the line to promote the night.
