'No fear' that out of hours GP service will be cut - Troy

There is "no fear" that the out of hours GP service for Westmeath and neighbouring counties will be cut.

That's according to Deputy Robert Troy, who says that he has received assurances from senior figures in the HSE that the future of the vital service is not under threat.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Deputy Troy said that he had spoken to a HSE official this week and received a "clarification that this vital service will continue and there is no fear of it being discontinued into the future".

In a post on social media earlier today, Deputy Troy said that while it is "regrettable" that Midoc GP CLG, the company that currently provides the out of hours GP service in the midlands, will cease trading at midnight on New Year's Eve, he has been informed that the HSE has "definitive cover in place until mid-January with an option to extend".

"The HSE is in negotiations for a more permanent solution. There is no fear this that this vital service will not continue," he said.

In a letter to members seen by the Westmeath Examiner, MIDOC GP CLG says that it and its “previous incarnations have struggled financially for many years due to insufficient funding” and that “for reasons unknown” the HSE reduced its funding in 2022.

“Given that only 10 per cent of MIDOC's funding requirement is delivered from non-HSE sources and to avoid trading in an insolvent or reckless manner, the board of directors of MIDOC GP CLG have made the unanimous decision to cease trading effective from 31 December 2022.”

MIDOC GP CLG also stated that while it will cease to trade this week, it remains available to meet the HSE “should they wish to discuss the implementation of an alternative, financially sustainable out of hours model”.

In a statement released this week, the HSE says that it is “disappointed that MIDOC has made the decision to cease trading for an indefinite period, effective midnight 31 December 2022 when we were looking to provide to provide a sustainable model going forward”.

“In the short-term and to mitigate the risks, through a third party the HSE has put in place appropriate cover based on normal and scheduled GPOOH practice and rosters and to ensure that the necessary supports are in place to deliver the best care to our service users, while ensuring that patient safety and quality of service are at the forefront of service delivery.

“In addition the HSE is in the process of seeking an alternative provider which we hope to have in place in the coming month. The HSE will continue to communicate and engage with all relevant stakeholders to ensure they are fully appraised of and consulted on any future developments.”