Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I also thank the Minister of State for her reply. The HSE informed me, through a parliamentary question, that it has not been successful in getting a GP for a single-handed practice in Templemore. In that same reply, the HSE all but admitted that it wants to see all GP services delivered through a single clinic. As Deputy Cahill said, a single practice, or everything in one setting, is not working. It is like the closure of St. Brigid's Hospital in Carrick-on-Suir. I have been contacted by people in Cahir about the difficulty they have in accessing GP services in the town, which leads people to go to the accident and emergency department in Clonmel hospital when they cannot get a doctor. That is creating problems for the hospital there. A similar situation is arising in Thurles because a replacement GP in a practice there cannot be sourced by the HSE.

As far as I, and the people I talk to, are concerned, it is another attack on the health services in Tipperary. The HSE needs to get real. As Deputy Lowry said, we need to see GPs from outside the country being brought in to relieve the backlogs.

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