East Mayo community concern over HSE delay in filling vacant GP service

THERE is concern in Kiltimagh that the HSE has failed to find a replacement GP to offer the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme to local medical card holders.

An existing medical card service will end on May 31, card holders were told in a letter which issued from the HSE in recent days.

Despite the medical card list being advertised on two occasions, the HSE has been unable to fill the GP vacancy to offer services to the affected card holders.

A decision has been taken to disperse the panel and offer patients a choice of doctor from GPs in their area.

Patients were urged to arrange to choose their new GP and complete a change of doctor form before May 31.

Expressing regret for the short notice given to card holders, the HSE said it had been continuing its efforts to find a replacement doctor up until last week when it became apparent that it would not be in a position to do so.