Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Niamh Smyth, has accused the Health Minister of ignoring the impending GP crisis in Counties Cavan and Monaghan.
She explained, “This is a very serious situation. Rural Ireland is being abandoned with the closure of Health Centres across the border region. The loss of GP services also has wider consequences for the Emergency Departments in the area as they see an increase in demand.
“Minister Harris cannot continue to ignore the crisis that is coming down the tracks. The local GP is an essential part of any community and measures must be taken to ensure that small towns and villages are not left without access to a doctor.
“This government needs to start recognising the value of our family doctors, appreciate the work they do and ensure that their practices are properly resourced. Fianna Fáil brought forward proposals to retain and support rural GPs over two years ago and the Sláintecare report makes similar recommendations.
“Unless the Minister and the government wakes up to this crisis, Cavan-Monaghan, in villages such as Ballyhaise, will be left without essential GP cover and local hospitals will come under even more sustained pressure”.
