GP shortage could prevent MIDOC service restoration
The shortage of available GPs to cover MIDOC services in Birr and Edenderry has been signalled as the reason for the sudden services closures.
At a meeting in Tullamore on Tuesday, which was attended HSE management, TDs Barry Cowen, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy and Carol Nolan, and public representatives from the Birr and Edenderry municipal districts, it emerged that failure to fill the roster for the out-of-hours service was the reason that led to the service being pulled suddenly.
Grave disappointment was expressed by all parties at the failure of a Midoc representative to attend a meeting, and calls were reissued to have the service restored, with a further meeting scheduled to take place next week to see if a solution can be found.
"What emerged was that there are only 33 GPs in Offaly and they were having great difficulty trying to fill a roster to cover Birr and Edenderry, and that's why the service was pulled so suddenly," explained Cllr Noel Bourke.
"What we didn't know and only discovered at the meeting, is that Midoc is a limited company by guarantee and is funded by the HSE, but it is not the HSE as such. So it was very disappointing that we had no one there from the Midoc service to essentially discuss this with," said Cllr Bourke who said he believes it will be extremely difficult to have the service restored without a full complement of GPs.
"We are calling on the HSE to listen to the concerns of the people on this and find a solution as soon as possible," he argued.
News of the sudden closures emerged last week when the HSE issued a statement on Monday signalling the decision to close Birr and Edenderry Midoc services, and instead, have one fully functioning treatment centre based in the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore. A public meeting in Birr followed at which over 250 people attended to voice their concerns over the closures.
Birr councillor Peter Ormond said there is still a huge amount of anger among people and it's an issue that isn't going to go away any time soon.
"HSE management firstly issued us with an apology as to how the message of the closures were conveyed. The second thing was that there was no Midoc representative there that could furnish us with the report that influenced Midoc’s decision to close the service. While we understand that GPs have very busy practices to run, it was disappointing given the level of anger that's out there that no one turned up to the meeting," he told the Offaly Independent.
"There was no talk as to the danger the closures represent for people who formally used the service and the phone is still ringing off the hook there is so much anger over this. We will be seeking another meeting as questions have to be answered," he stated.
Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen said Midoc representatives need to take on board the concerns of the local community.
“I'm calling for an independent review of this decision to be conducted. HSE management should work with Midoc to ensure these clinics can remain open. The focus should be on growing primary care services instead of cutting back on them. If additional funding is needed to help Midoc maintain existing services then this is something which should be explored," stated Deputy Cowen.
Fine Gael TD Marcella Corcoran Kennedy said the way in which this decision was made without any notice or consultation with the public has caused anger and concern in the community.
"The message is very strong that any loss of service will not be tolerated. There is a determination to fight this decision tooth and nail. I would very much welcome clarity from Midoc.”
The HSE have said it plans enhance the current service provision in Tullamore and to take into account the additional patients travelling from Birr and Edenderry, an additional doctor will be on duty in Tullamore, during weekends and public holidays, from 12 midday to 8pm. This will facilitate the more effective management of call outs and home visits to the entire county, including Birr and Edenderry.
The Midoc Service was established in the West Offaly region in December, 2002. At that time GPs in East Offaly such as in Tullamore and Edenderry were not participating in the service. These GPs subsequently joined Midoc in December 2011. Consequently, the service has had, for historical reasons, three treatment centres in Offaly - one full time in Tullamore and two part-time centres in Edenderry and Birr.