‘Things are progressing’ - father-of-three to get hip replacement after five-year wait

The family of a father of three, who has been on a HSE waiting list for a hip replacement since 2020, are very hopeful that he will finally undergo surgery over the coming months and certainly by the end of this year.

Bernard McGrath, from Shrule, Ballymahon in Longford, went on the HSE waiting list in 2020 as he was suffering from discomfort and pain.

Deputy Micheál Carrigy met his wife Julie McGrath, from Shrule, Ballymahon in Longford, while on his General Election canvas trail last November.

During the doorstep interaction, she informed the Fine Gael Oireachtas member her husband urgently needed surgical treatment.

Mrs McGrath stated Bernard made been for countless scans and X-rays but there had been little or no progress made.

Deputy Carrigy, who was then a senator, listened and he replied if Bernard was on the waiting list for a certain period of time he could apply for treatment through the national treatment purchase fund.

However, Mrs McGrath informed him her husband was already waiting on that scheme.

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During their chat, the Ballinalee-based politician insisted Mr McGrath “should not be waiting that length of time to get it done".

He advised Mrs McGrath to gather up the relevant documentation and he would follow it up.

Last week, Julie provided an update and said they are encouraged by positive progress in recent months.

"Bernard's being called so often now, maybe every second week he is going to the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh or the Mater Hospital or somewhere," she said. "Before that over the past five years he might get one or two calls a year and he would hear no more then."

Julie said Bernard has an appointment on February 18 next where an assessment will take place to ascertain whether surgery can proceed.

"Things are progressing and he knows when he goes the next day and they look at him if he hasn't an infection then they will do his hip for him," she added.

Julie said Deputy Carrigy sent them a letter to say he was making enquiries on their behalf.
"He got in touch with the HSE and the hospitals that Bernard had been to, the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh,

Tullamore Hospital and the private clinic in Mullingar," she said. "Previously he'd been in there at those hospitals several times, it wasn't just once or twice, they would call him and he'd go and he would be scanned or whatever it was and then you would hear nothing."

Julie said Bernard's quality of life has been significantly impacted during the past five years and he needs help getting in and out of the car and to stand up if he has been sitting for any sustained period.

"He is finding it very hard to walk at the moment and he is doing the best he can but he has no comfort doing anything or going any where and he is just hanging around the house," she added.

Julie is very hopeful that Bernard will have his surgery over the coming months and is very confident it will happen in 2025.

She stated before his hip problems he was able to drive, do jobs around the house and he had great independence.

There are now renewed hopes Bernard will soon have a new lease of life and Julie stated the family are grateful to Deputy Carrigy and his staff.

"If it wasn't for Micheál Carrigy there would be nothing at all done, he has done absolutely everything, he is great," she said.

"I've been to the office a few times and I'd just like to say thank you to them because they are so good and nice."

Deputy Carrigy said he is very pleased.

"I'm more than delighted, that is my job as a public representative, to work hard on behalf of the community as best I can and that's a commitment I give to people," he added.