A Sinn Fein Senator has hit out over the Health Minister’s failure to provide details on a review of ShannonDoc services in Clare.
Paul Gavan has raised the issue in the Seanad in response to concerns expressed by Shannon based Councillor Mike McKee and Sinn Fein party activists throughout the county.
GP out-of hours services in Kilrush, Ennistymon and Killaloe were cut back in November last year, which the co-operative blamed on a reduction in doctor numbers.
The HSE committed to a three month review, with a Spokesperson quoted as saying at the time that if there were “significant or adverse consequences to these changes” the HSE might consider “a rethink of the situation”.
Today, Limerick Sinn Féin Senator Paul Gavan has raised the issue in the Seanad on behalf of Sinn Fein representatives in this county.
He’s asking if the Health Minister is telling people in Clare that they don’t deserve the same level of GP out-of-hours servce as everyone else in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Health Minister, Minister Catherine Byrne says the Government remains committed to enhancing primary care services throughout the country.
Minister Byrne’s confirmed the changes made to Shannondoc are subject to a three month review and that the service is being closely monitored and evaluated by the HSE.
But Senator Gavan has accused the Minister of failing to provide clarity on the issue – a claim that has been rejected by the Minister.
