Lahardane delegation to meet HSE over GP vacancy
Elderly people 'going out of their minds with worry' over loss of local doctor
A delegation from the Lahardane community and elected representatives are to meet the HSE to discuss the future of GP services in the village.
There has been widespread concern in the locality after its only GP, Dr Enda Loftus, left his post to take up a vacant position in Crossmolina.
The meeting will take place on Friday, at 10am. All four Mayo TDs have been invited to attend.
The HSE has said that the position would not be filled by a locum doctor. It has advised that the 'best option' for patients is to attend the GP service in Crossmolina, which is ten miles away.
As a result, up to 1,100 medical card holders will have to be transferred to the Crossmolina practice
Local activist Gerry Loftus said it will be 'unworkable' for patients to attend the service in Crossmolina and maintained that the community will not be giving on retaining a GP service for the area.
Various public meetings have been held to discuss the situation, with some campaigners fearing that more people will attend the Emergency Department at Mayo University Hospital for care.
Deputy Michael Ring (Fine Gael) has said that elderly people in the Lahardane area were 'going out of their minds with worry' arising from the situation.
The GP post in Lahardane was advertised twice by the HSE but no interest was expressed on either occasion.