Macroom out-of-hours GP cover
Deputy Moynihan raised concern that families around Macroom are travelling further for weekend GP out-of-hours cover. The Taoiseach said he would make enquiries and ask the Minister for Health to reply directly.
Locals, including medical professionals, have been highlighting their concerns with me about difficulty accessing GP out-of-hours services around Macroom, especially at weekends. They find they are having to travel further to Bandon and possibly to Kinsale Road to get cover at weekends. When this question is raised with SouthDoc, there is no satisfaction.
When it is raised with the HSE, directed on from SouthDoc, the response is that there is no issue and that it is providing cover. People in Kanturk were getting very similar responses earlier this year when their service was being referred on to Mallow. There is concern that the service is not being provided by SouthDoc. Can we establish what the plans are for SouthDoc Macroom and if it can ensure people are able to get access to out-of-hours GP services locally?
