Emergency meeting called as Mayo parish loses GP service

Caoimhín Rowland

An emergency meeting has been urgently organised by the community in Lahardane to address the imminent disruption to GP services and the movement of patients medical files.

The meeting at Lahardane community centre at 11.30 a.m. is expected to draw a large number of concerned residents and high-profile TDs.

Gerry Loftus, representing the Rural Ireland Organisation, has voiced the community's frustrations regarding the response from the HSÉ concerning the impending cessation of GP services in Lahardane. The current GP is departing this evening with no GP or locum being provided by the HSE in Lahardane.

According to Loftus, the HSE's response has been far from satisfactory despite numerous appeals from the community to address the issue.

As a result, the substantial community in north Mayo is being assigned to a two-doctor practice located in Crossmolina, starting next week.

Patients in Addergoole medical centre have been informed that Dr. Enda Loftus has taken patients files to Crossmolina and that patients have been given no choice of doctor as is obliged under the GMS scheme because of the hastily announced merger.

In a press statement from Community Healthcare West, they noted, “Ahead of the departure of the current GP on October 1, 2023, discussions took place with the GP in Lahardane and the retiring GP in Crossmolina, regarding the options available for maintaining a GP service for the people of Lahardane.”

That arrangement which took place some time ago now sees a large practice of well over 2,000 patients to be served by two doctors and with one retiring and entering private practice. Concerns not only exist in Lahardane but in Crossmolina where there is currently a waiting list of two weeks for patients to be seen.

This development has sparked widespread unease and uncertainty within the community, as residents are left grappling with the imminent changes to their healthcare services without community consultation.

The emergency meeting tomorrow is expected to bring together community members, healthcare professionals, and local representatives in an effort to find a way forward and ensure that Lahardane residents continue to have access to essential medical care.

The matter has been raised in Dáil Eireann by Fine Gael Deputy Alan Dillon and he is awaiting a response from the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly.