| Description | Transcript of an interview conducted by Susan Mullaney with Dr Patrick Daly, a retired General Practitioner in his home in Farranfore, Co. Kerry. (Also present were his wife, Dr Maureen Daly, a GP, and his niece, Dr Anne Collins from Dunmanway, Co. Cork).
In the interview, Dr Daly talked about a wide range of topics including: - Growing up in West Cork, and the history of Castletownshend House and Captain Townsend: - His medical education in University College, Cork, and training in the North Infirmary in Cork: - First job as a locum in Rosscarbery in Co. Cork, then working in Peamount Hospital, Dublin, The Coombe Hospital, Dublin, and studying for DPH in Dublin: - Providing Maternity care to mothers in their homes in rural West Cork as a GP in early 1950s: - Dentistry in West Cork in early 1950s: - Bone-setters and 'handy women' caring for patients in rural Cork and Kerry in 1950s: - The work of a General Surgeon in Mr Kiely in Cork Infirmary: - Memories of Professor James O' Donovan, professor of medicine in Cork: - Early haematology provision in Cork area, with local soldiers providing blood samples: - Introduction of Streptomycin: - Becoming the Dispensary Doctor in Faranfore in 1954, describes the surgery, and providing 24 hour service for patients in rural area: - Difficulties for patients communicating with doctors prior to widespread availability of house phones: - Highlights innovation of joint replacements and heart surgery: - Describes conditions in rural Cork and Kerry in 1940-50s and highlights greater income levels and independence of people in general, in modern era: - Describes canvassing local support for establishing Farranfore airport in Kerry: - Memories of Mother and Child Scheme: - His wife, Dr Maureen Daly's contribution to the practice, seeing many female patients: - Main causes of mortality in 1940-50s were infectious diseases, and how patients' expectations have changed now: - His life outside of medical practice in Farranfore. |