An urgent meeting has been requested with the Health Minister over rising fears a number of GP surgeries in Tyrone are facing closure.
Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley has written to Robin Swann seeking an urgent meeting and his intervention to avert the collapse of GP services at the Dromore and Trillick Surgery and a wider crisis in GP services in the southern part of the Western Trust area.
Dr Declan Morgan resigned and was due to stop treating patients at the surgery on March 31, but extended his notice period until June 30, but as yet no replacement has been found.
Outlining the gravity of the situation the West Tyrone MP said, “My party colleague Nicola Brogan MLA and I have been involved in ongoing meetings with the Western Local Medical Committee as part of efforts to protect the GP services in the Dromore and Trillick practice.
Read more: Former bank building in Co Tyrone town converted into AirBnB and coffee shop
“Every effort has been explored to recruit a replacement General Practitioner but to date, these efforts have not been successful.
“It is a very worrying situation and there is the need to ensure that there is a continuity of services at the practice after the 30th June.
"Surrounding practices have been asked but are not in a position to take over the Dromore and Trillick Surgery.
“The situation is deeply worrying not least for the 5,500 + patients registered at the Surgery.
“I have written to Health Minister Robin Swann seeking an urgent meeting and his direct intervention to avert this pending crisis and to explore further potential emergency contingencies."
Ms Begley also stressed the need for intervention across a number of areas in the Western Trust.
She continued: “GP services throughout the southern part of the Western Trust area are under severe pressure. Funding is in place for four advanced nurse practitioners and for GP pharmacists’ support.
“The roll-out of Multi-Disciplinary teams is also a key part of the contingency plan to protect local services in the wider area. However, a functioning Executive needs to be in place so that the necessary budget can be secured to action this.
“This is a further imperative as to why the DUP needs to ‘put health first’ and end its boycott of the Executive."
Read more: Former Omagh cinema site goes on the market
Read more: Watch: Co Tyrone girl goes viral with hilarious impression of grandparents
To get the latest Co Tyrone news straight to your inbox, sign up to our free newsletter.
