HSE hears concerns of rural Mayo residents who have lost GP care

By Caoimhín Rowland

A delegation representing the community of Lahardane who lost GP care this week after the merger of their medical practice with Crossmolina have met with the HSÉ in Claremorris Primary Care Centre.

Spearheaded by campaigner Gerry Loftus, the delegation was joined by a strong cohort from the community.

Their ages ranging from above 80 and as young as two years of age to highlight the need for a GP practice in Lahardane to cover the affected 3,000 people in the wide geographic catchment area the Lahardane GP service represents.

The community sat across from HSÉ officials and Community Health Care West representatives with the support for the people of Lahardane coming from elected deputies Michael Ring, Alan Dillon and Fianna Fail Minister of State Dara Calleary.

Gerry Loftus of the Rural Ireland Organisation called on the HSE to reinstate a locum in the Addergoole Medical Centre and allow the doctor who has declared his commitment to the practice to be allowed to apply.

The HSÉ and the local community representatives accepted that the merger has already happened between Crossmolina and Lahardane with contracts already signed.

However, the HSÉ is open to meeting the prospective GP the community members have sourced and arrange to place him as a locum in the community if the next meeting is successful.

Gerry Loftus has informed people of a meeting this evening at 6 p.m. in the Addergoole Medical Centre to tell local people about the outcome of the meeting.