Lahardane GP vacancy talks are ongoing
It is estimated that up to 2,500 people could be impacted by the ongoing failure to appoint a GP to Lahardane.
Discussions are underway between the HSE and a doctor interested in taking up the GP vacancy in Lahardane.
The HSE confirmed in a statement to the that a GP has not yet been appointed but discussions are ongoing with the interested party.
“HSE Community Healthcare West can confirm that a GP has not been appointed to Lahardane. A GP has recently expressed an interest in possibly setting up practice there. Discussions are taking place with him but he has not yet decided if he will proceed or not.”
The position has been vacant since October 1 when outgoing GP Dr Enda Loftus left the Lahardane practice to take up a vacant position in Crossmolina. Patients from Lahardane and the surrounding areas have had to travel to Crossmolina since then.
Gerry Loftus, from the Rural Ireland Organisation, which has consistently campaigned on the issue over the past few weeks, said the potential GP applicant wants to clarify a number of issues.
"Talks are ongoing between the Doctor in question and the HSE to try and resolve this matter,” said Mr Loftus.
Aidan Browne, who is hoping to run for the Social Democrats in next year’s local elections in the Castlebar area, told the that locals hope to see progress on the GP situation soon.
“I know from personal experience when I was a carer for my grandmother that there is a need to have a medical service close by., especially if you don’t drive, you are really caught if you need to see a doctor," he said. "This is not a request for anything more. There has been a doctor in the area since 1892. People want to retain that basic service,” he said.
Around 1,000 medical card holders are affected by the closure of the Lahardane surgery but Mr Browne said the number of people affected is closed to 2,500. He has based that figure on recent Census data for the surrounding areas, from Pontoon Bridge in the east and Addergoole in the west and from the edge of Castlehill in the north down to the Windy Gap in the south.
“Moving patients from this area to Crossmolina puts huge pressure on that surgery. There are really two communities affected by this,” he said.
