Additional staff has been hired at the under pressure Dromore and Trillick GP practice in Co Tyrone after the Western Trust took over the contract for the surgeries.
Western Trust chief Neil Guckian said the Trust was still 'finding its feet' after it took over the practice in just the second such case of its kind in Northern Ireland.
Councillors on the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Health And Social Affairs Subcommittee were provided with an update on the temporary arrangement in GP provision of Dromore and Trillick Practice.
Western Health and Social Care Trust Chief Executive Neil Guckian informed members: “We were asked at short notice by the Department of Health, to take on the contract for provision of GP services until March 31, 2023.
“We want to emphasise this is an interim arrangement.
READ MORE: Tyrone country singer dedicates new single to his ‘hero’ dad
“The maintenance of the rota and provision of GPs has been retained by the SPPG (Strategic Planning and Performance Group), which is an arm of the Department.
“Clearly, we are still finding our feet, as it’s been a couple of weeks since we took over, but we have systematically gone through the practice, working with our colleagues to ensure service is maintained.
“We reached a successful agreement to recruit additional staff to make the practice more sustainable and attractive in the longer term.”
He continued: “This is a challenge for us, as we aren’t used to delivering GP services. We are one of the few Trusts who don’t provide even Out-of-Hours GP Services. They’re provided by a consortium and not as part of the Trust.”
He added: “From an accountability perspective, the Western Trust’s Director of Nursing and Director of Older People’s Services will manage this contact on our behalf.”
Independent Councillor Josephine Deehan said the Trust’s takeover of the contract had provided “great relief”, as it had been a source of serious concern in the community.
She said: “The situation is critical, and many other practices in our council area are similarly endangered. I believe a new model needs to be found.
“I appreciate the Trust taking on this contract, which is a very significant commitment. It would be a complete disaster for both patients and the profession alike to have had dispersal of this large patient group.”
Councillor Deehan enquired how the timescale afforded by the interim contract could enable the working out of a more sustainable provision, and sought further details around governance arrangements.
Mr. Guckian confirmed the objective is to make the practice more sustainable in the longer term, and “the approach will be to stabilise and get a grip from a practice, salaries and staffing base”.
He continued: “We will then engage with SSPG to prepare an exit strategy for our involvement.”
In relation to governance, he said: “I have to confess, we are in the middle of due diligence, so we are still firming up on arrangements. We don’t really employ GPs.
READ MORE: Gym owner opens up on life after prison for one-punch killing and his battle with alcoholism
“I have one GP whose role is to act as an interface with primary care. To remove her from that to a clinical governance role is not in anybody’s interest.
“We are currently considering how best to deal with this, but we recognise it is an issue, and it will be resolved in the coming weeks.”
Ulster Unionist Councillor Victor Warrington pointed out: “The real issue is the lack of GPs. They just aren’t there to put in place.
“I know getting GPs in situ is not within the remit of the Western Trust, but Dromore and Trillick certainly proved it was pulled in to sort that problem out.
“We can’t rule that out from happening again in the future. There’s no immediate fix, going forward.”
Mr. Guckian responded: “You’re absolutely right, but we will do our best in the interim.”
READ NEXT:
-
Man charged after police find car abandoned on verge in Co Tyrone
-
Man's body found in Florida confirmed as Co Tyrone man John McNamee, family say
-
NI dad’s warning after family home destroyed in house fire started by phone charger
- Call for action on homeless and addiction crisis after six deaths on Belfast's streets in two weeks
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
