Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I do not intend to delay the House, other than to inquire with the HSE, via the Department of Health and Children, when the doctor on call scheme will be extended to all parts of County Louth. Many parts of the country now have this excellent service and where it is available, the service has enhanced patient care considerably. The elderly living in isolated areas have particularly benefited from the availability of doctors on a round the clock, seven days a week basis.

While the range of services provided for care in the community has grown significantly, there are pockets where the doctor on call scheme is not available. There may be local reasons and justifications for this or there may be no justifications for its not being available. County Louth has experienced a rapid population growth in the past five or six years as a result of the upturn in the economy and every part of the county needs a doctor on call service.

When the doctor on call service is available in other parts of the country, the pressure on accident and emergency departments is considerably reduced. The need for people to be rushed to hospital because of the unavailability of a doctor often means that family members must provide the transport. In turn, this brings people into accident and emergency departments who should be dealt with in a home setting. There is a clear need to accelerate efforts to put in place a full doctor on call scheme countrywide.

My interest tonight is parochial and relates to County Louth. When can we expect to have a comprehensive doctor on call service available?

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