Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies Barry Cowen and Carol Nolan for raising this very important issue. I want to begin by reassuring the Deputies that there has been no reduction in funding or total GP clinical time allocated to the MIDOC services. Second, I understand the decision to reorganise MIDOC services in Offaly was taken by participating GPs in conjunction with the HSE and that they believe the revised arrangements will ensure a better out-of-hours services can be delivered to patients, with increased availability for call-outs and home visits to patients where clinically indicated.

The MIDOC service was established in the west Offaly region in December 2002 by the HSE and the GPs who volunteered to provide the service. A review of MIDOC services in Offaly was undertaken by the participating GPs in 2017. The review identified a number of concerns regarding the satellite sites in Edenderry and Birr, concerning clinical risks, the ability to respond effectively to medical emergencies and risks faced by locum doctors working alone. It is important to note that only limited out-of-hours cover was provided in Birr and Edenderry. The service was part-time only and home visits from these sites were not possible. On some days the service was only open for two hours and on other days no service was provided at all. For presentations outside the limited operating hours of both satellite centres, patients already had to attend the nearest full-time treatment centre, which would have been in Tullamore, Athlone or Longford.

In light of these concerns, and to ensure the quality and safety of patient services, the decision was taken that from 2 April 2018 MIDOC would operate only one fully-functioning treatment centre in Tullamore that covers the entire Offaly population. This is in line with other MIDOC centres across the midlands. The HSE has reviewed the current monthly activity levels of the out-of-hours services in Offaly and I understand the Tullamore treatment centre will be more than capable of absorbing patients from Birr and Edenderry. An additional doctor has also been assigned duty in Tullamore during weekends and public holidays to facilitate the more effective management of emergency call-outs to the entire county, including Birr and Edenderry. Additional administrative support will also be provided to free up doctors' time, resulting in more patient contact and a more effective overall out-of-hours service. As the Deputies will be aware, local HSE management met with the public representatives from Birr and Edenderry on 17 April to discuss the reorganisation of MIDOC services.

At this meeting, the Health Service Executive accepted the need for improved public communication around such service changes in future and this is undoubtedly the case. The HSE has requested a further meeting between public representatives and Midoc and the Deportment has asked the HSE to keep it updated on developments.

I again reassure the Deputies that there has been no reduction in funding or total general practice clinical time allocated to the Midoc service. The HSE and the general practitioners participating in Midoc remain committed to providing a safe and effective out-of-hours service to all patients in County Offaly.

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