Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Feighan, to the Chamber and thank the Cathaoirleach for choosing my Commencement matter.

I raised this topic in October 2020 with the Minster of State's ministerial colleague, Deputy Butler, who was here on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. I mentioned the Westdoc service that covers the general area of Moycullen, Rosscahill, Oughterard and the outskirts of Galway city. On that occasion I mentioned that when GPs are on call, they are on call for 48 hours every fourth weekend and every fourth night, as well as providing full weekday services. My concern was the inability to get a new doctor in Oughterard and one of the reasons is the pressures of work. Despite a willingness of doctors to join the Westdoc service, the funding was not provided. At that stage the Minister of State said that she would raise this matter. She also said that she found it strange that where there is a shortage of doctors, they find it difficult to access a co-operative.

A sum of €3.9 million was provided through a service level agreement with the HSE and community healthcare organisation, CHO, 2 in 2020. A number of weeks ago, Mr. Paul Reid and Ms Anne O'Connor attended a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health. We talked about the winter plan and acute beds, of which there are none planned for Galway. I asked what would be put in its place and said one of the areas that we are looking at is enhanced funding for GPs. Ms O'Connor, as the director of operations for the HSE, said that there would be €10 million in additional supports for GP services to support those practices and areas that come under pressure, particularly single-handed GP services. She also said that the HSE would look at enhanced GP services and cover in the west as part of the winter plan. So it is quite clear that there is a gap in service provision. There is some funding available through the HSE. As there is pressure on the emergency system in Galway, clearly there is a need. There is funding and of course this is a preventative measure that will reduce pressure on emergency departments. The winter plan is an opportunity to put in place Westdoc services for the Moycullen, Rosscahill and Oughterard area. As I said, I raised this matter more than a year ago with the Minister of State's colleague who was speaking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Donnelly. This is good value for money and it is an area with a growing population. While they put their own services in place, it is putting a strain and pressure on those doctors who provide a huge service to the general area and who are exceptional in what they do but who, unfortunately, are under pressure. Enhanced GP services for Westdoc, with funding from the HSE, would alleviate much of the pressure they are facing. I look forward to the Minister of State’s reply, which it is hoped will be positive based on the fact that last year the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, said there was an issue and that it seemed strange. Second, Anne O’Connor, director of operations at the HSE stated that funding is available under the winter plan for those areas that would be under pressure. I would expect that the Moycullen, Roscahill and Oughterard area could be looked after with enhanced Westdoc funding.