Ballinasloe out-of-hours GP service
Deputy Canney warned that the south-east Galway out-of-hours GP service is stretched and under-resourced for a large patient population. The Minister said the Health Minister was aware and would meet local representatives that evening to seek progress.
I will raise a very important issue. Last Monday night, along with other public representatives, I met with some GPs in Ballinasloe to discuss grave concerns about the out-of-hours GP service for a large part of south-east Galway, including Eyrecourt, Lawrencetown, Kiltormer, Kilconnell, parts of Ballinasloe, Portumna and Loughrea. The service serves approximately 15,000 patients and is currently providing full 24-hour cover, including 53 straight hours of cover at the weekend, without a driver, nursing administration staff or a triage service. The HSE has made an application for funding to the Department of Health each year for the past five years but this has been refused on the basis that there is no funding available. Last Monday night, four of the service's doctors told us that they will be retiring very soon and that the whole system will collapse.
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Canney for raising this issue, which I know is of great local importance. The Minister, Deputy Donnelly, is aware of the issue and has agreed to meet with Deputy Canney and other Oireachtas Members this evening to see what progress can be made on it.