Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue following the resignation of a permanent GP from the general medical services, GMS, practice in Kiltimagh, County Mayo. The handling of the situation by the HSE has been hugely disappointing. There has been no stakeholder engagement with the local community or public representatives in assisting to fill the permanent GP position. Little or no clarification is available from the HSE about efforts to recruit a locum GP or about why this has not been done.

Elderly people were shocked to be informed last Friday by the HSE that they were required to find new GPs before 31 May. The HSE has indicated it has advertised for the medical card scheme on only two occasions. This will have a knock-on effect on the provision of GP services in Kiltimagh, with only one remaining GP in the town. I ask the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health to intervene, seek clarification from the HSE on this matter and request that the HSE re-advertise for a locum until a permanent GP is recruited and that the existing GMS panel be temporarily transferred.

See this speech in context