Mayo rural GP controversy raised with Tánaiste Michéal Martin

A Mayo TD has raised concerns in relation to Lahardane’s GP issue in Dáil Éireann.

Deputy Alan Dillon issued a plea to the Minister for Health and to the head of HSE Community Health Care West to retain the GP service at Addergoole Medical Centre.

Deputy Alan Dillon also raised the matter of the GP service during questions to Tánaiste Michéal Martin.

He raised the concerns and fear amongst the community of Lahardane and surrounding areas over the closure of Addergoole Medical Centre with the loss of the GP service.

The Castlebar-based TD outlined the lack of HSE consultation and plans for the replacement of Dr. Enda Loftus, who has been in Lahardane since 2019.

He noted this is the third area of Mayo where the HSE have advertised vacancies for a general practitioner after Achill and Charlestown.

“The Lahardane and Bofeenaun residents are set to lose their GP next weekend in a move which affects 1,100 medical card holders, without them having any say in the process.

"Although we understand the HSE are trying to recruit more doctors, the ongoing empty GP post in Lahardane is a critical issue.

‘The idea of merging the local Addergoole Medical Centre with Crossmolina is causing a lot of fear amongst the community, and rightly so.

"I am firm on making the HSE answerable to keep a GP service in Lahardane, I would suggest a locum doctor be put in place immediately and split their time between Addergoole and Crossmolina healthcare settings, while settling in Lahardane until a permanent GP post is appointed.”

Deputy Dillon requested that the Tanaiste speak to Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, about this serious issue quickly.

“We need to ensure that we have fair healthcare for all and that Lahardane needs fast action now.”

In his response, Minister Martin said the HSE will sometimes readvertise a position.

“Sometimes these issues evolve through demographic issues and challenges with general practice in rural Ireland and in rural areas more particularly.

"I will ask Minister Donnelly to talk to the agency. I presume the HSE are very much alive to this issue with a view to trying to get it resolved but I will talk to the Minister in respect of it.”