An appointment of a GP in Newmarket-on-Fergus must not be hit with further delays, a Clare TD has outlined.
Newmarket-on-Fergus, one of the largest parishes in Co Clare, has been without a GP since the retirement of Dr Colm Hackett last May. Locals have had to travel to Shannon Medical Services for basic GP care over the past twelve months. The vacancy had been filled in September but the post fell through during negotiations with the HSE.
In March of this year it was confirmed that a GP would be returning to Newmarket-on-Fergus and at the end of April, Deputy Joe Carey (FG) stated that GP services would return to the village by the end of June.
Plans remain on track for a doctor to be in place by the end of June according to the HSE but Cathal Crowe (FF) has stressed that there be no further delays to the appointment. He said his constituency office has dealt with queries from the public that the appointment had fallen through again, claims which have been rejected by the HSE who say the post will be filled as expected in June.
Crowe stated, “The community have had too many false dawns and have grown sceptical of the recruitment process that’s in place”. He welcomed the clarification from the HSE but added, “I have sought further assurances that this is the end of a long campaign for the residents of Newmarket since the retirement of Dr Colm Hackett a year ago”.
“At this time of health crisis, the need for high quality GP care in Newmarket-on-Fergus and for the surrounding areas is greater than ever”. The Meelick native has raised the matter with Minister for Health, Simon Harris (FG) and pledged to keep it “on the radar in the Dáil until this situation is rectified”.
