Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste might remember in 2020 and 2021 SouthDoc Blackpool was closed. After a strong campaign by residents on the northside of Cork, it reopened later in 2021. At the time, the HSE said the closure posed a serious risk of unnecessary presentations to acute hospitals. More recently I have been contacted by constituents who told me they cannot see a doctor in SouthDoc and staff have also told me SouthDoc Blackpool is closed in all but name. On 29 February, I asked the Minister for Health whether there was any information on a reduction in service, the Minister said there was not. However, I received a parliamentary question this week that shows, on average, approximately 1,400 patients were seen in SouthDoc Blackpool in 2022 and 2023. However, in 2024 only 400 patients were seen.

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