Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When the Nowdoc was being established in 2000-01, there was considerable apprehension among service users that they would lose contact with their family doctor and a gulf would emerge between service users and their general practitioners. However, users are now confident in and happy with the service. Any proposal to change the delivery of a health service causes considerable concern and anxiety among its users.

Three general practitioners currently provide an out-of-hours service in the region, one each in Carndonagh, Letterkenny and Derrybeg, respectively. It has been proposed to reduce the number of GPs operating the service to two and base both in Letterkenny. As a general practitioner, the Minister will be aware that when someone is struck with a serious illness between midnight and 8 a.m., time is of the essence. Deputies Thomas Pringle, Pearse Doherty and I all live about one hour's drive from Letterkenny hospital. Moreover, there are inhabited islands off the coast of Donegal. Tory Island has a population of 200 and Arranmore has a population of approximately 600. There is no doubt, therefore, that if the proposed changes are implemented, the level of service in County Donegal will be reduced.

Deputies Pringle, Doherty and I all attended a public meeting last Monday night. All those in attendance were apprehensive and concerned. It was significant that the four general practitioners present did not express confidence in the proposed new service. As the specialists working at the coalface, their views should be taken into consideration before any changes are made to the service.

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