HSE say they will continue to be 'creative' to attract GPs to Mayo

HSE officials in the west say they are trying to be as creative as they can to make it attractive to fill GP vacancies around Mayo.

The meeting of the HSE Regional Health Forum West heard that in order to fill some long term vacancies in Mayo, Roscommon and Galway, Community Healthcare West recently submitted a proposal to the HSE at national level seeking approval for enhanced terms and conditions to apply to positions that are challenging to fill.

John Fitzmaurice, Chief Officer with Community Healthcare West explained that while a reply to this proposal is still awaited, it is hoped that if it is approved, 'such positions may prove to be more attractive to potential candidates than heretofore'.

Mr Fitzmaurice was responding to questions submitted to the Regional Health Forum by Independent councillor Michael Kilcoyne on steps being taken to fill GP vacancies around Mayo.

“I know you are advertising the vacancies but it is going to take a long time to get to the recommended figure,” Cllr Kilcoyne commented.

While acknowledging the difficulties in attracting GPs to some areas, Mr Fitzmaurice said no area in Mayo is not served by a GP.

“There may be some locum cover but there are no areas that are not served and we will continue to look at trying to re advertise those. We are trying to be as creative as much as we can. We have been creative in the last year in terms of filling some GP vacancies and partnering up existing practices and looking at some areas where maybe there is a small population where we have applied for district medical officer allowances in those areas. There are a number of initiatives we are trying to take to make sure it is advantageous for people to take up a post,” Mr Fitzmaurice concluded.