Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1343. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to outline what action he, his Department and the HSE intend on taking with a view to retaining an out-of-hours GP service in the Fermoy, Mitchelstown area, in particular from 10pm and 8am, given the service which was in place has been withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36666/23]
View answerI wish to assure the Deputy that the GP Out of Hours service in Fermoy, Mitchelstown and north Cork in general has not been withdrawn. Patients who require urgent GP care outside of normal GP hours can continue to contact the Out of Hours service and, where necessary, will be provided with an appointment to see a GP in the relevant centre as heretofore. When a home visit is required that will also be provided. None of the centres operated by the Out of Hours service has been closed.
The Out of Hours service has recently implemented some changes in how it rosters GPs on call during the so-called ‘red-eye’ shift, that is from 10pm to 8am on weekdays and all day on weekends and public holidays. The service is maintaining the capacity to see approximately 500 patients during these shifts across its area of service, a level which is significantly higher than typical demand. I have been assured that the changes to the rosters will not impact on service delivery.
