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REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON HER VISIT TO THE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL KANTURK

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON HER VISIT TO THE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL KANTURK, COUNTY CORK ON TUESDAY 7 JULY, 1998

I want to say a special word of thanks to Philomena O’Sullivan, Matron of the Community Hospital, for giving me this opportunity to come to the hospital on my first visit to Kanturk as President – and to meet the patients and staff. Earlier, when I was opening the new riverside park – I mused over the fact that Kanturk is the town with biggest proportion of elderly per head of population in Ireland. I ventured that it could possibly be the two rivers – or that Kanturk is getting a reputation for being a “park town” – or even the determination of Kanturk people to get the best value out of everything – including life itself!

As I look around this hospital today – at the staff and happy patients – I’m beginning to think that there may be another reason – and a very simple explanation here in the Community Hospital. When you look at the range of services available – 24 hour nursing care, medical cover and ambulance service – long term and convalescent care – hospice care – respite care – which is a growing need in every community as more and more people are being cared for in their home environment – and the other services like physiotherapy, chiropody, hairdressing – coupled with the range of leisure activities – you can’t help thinking that this has a lot to do with it. With a comprehensive range of services like that – I’d say that the number of stress related disorders and illnesses in the Kanturk area are at a fairly low level! And maybe that’s the secret of longevity in Kanturk.

But my visit to you today is really to pay tribute to all of you for the excellent work that you are doing in providing a truly community service for the people of the Kanturk area. Yours is on onerous task – and a very responsible job. I know that there can be times when it seems frustrating – when your efforts are not achieving what you thought they might – and when you can be ready to drop from sheer exhaustion. But you have put the well-being of others at the top of your agenda – and have done so selflessly and with dedication. That is a sacrifice that is deserving of the highest tribute – is something for which the community is grateful – and of which you yourselves can be justly proud.

I want to wish you well in your very important work in providing such a comprehensive medical service to the community of Kanturk – and for continuing to meet the challenges and changes that time will bring to the people of Kanturk.

ENDS