Public meeting in Mayo hears of a GP applicant being “fobbed off” by HSÉ

A public meeting in Lahardane, organised by the Rural Ireland Organisation and attended by over 100 concerned residents, shed light on the growing unease surrounding the loss of local GP care.

The meeting, which ran for two hours heard from organiser Gerry Loftus that a GP has applied but was “fobbed off” by the HSE as patients files have already been moved to Crossmolina.

The heart of the matter revolves around Addergoole Medical Centre, which caters to a vast area spanning from Pontoon to Castlehill, Glenhest, Keenagh, Bofeenaun and its location in the village of Lahardane, residents have been served by a GP for almost a century. Concerns grew locally following news of Dr. Enda Loftus departing on October 1.

The HSE has declared that no suitable applicants have emerged, citing the challenges in securing GP's for rural regions, however local activist Gerry Loftus informed locals that a GP has indeed applied but patients files are in Crossmolina, not Lahardane. Making a practice no longer viable in the parish of Addergoole.

In attendance were two local councillors, Blackie Gavin and Michael Kilcoyne, while notably absent were representatives from the HSE.

Úna Morris, representing Sinn Féin in the upcoming local elections for Ballina, stood with the community in Rose Conway Walsh's absence.

Fine Gael representatives sent apologies as they were attending a convention in Castlebar, as did Fianna Fail's Dara Calleary and Councillor Al McDonnell.

The primary concern voiced by Lahardane residents centres on the prospect of patients being amalgamated into Crossmolina's Deel Medical Centre. This would leave a void in the region, with locals having to journey to Crossmolina, Bangor Erris, or Castlebar for essential GP care.

Adding to these concerns is the overstretched capacity of Crossmolina's healthcare system, where patients are experiencing extended wait times for doctor appointments.

The shortage of GP care is not unique to Lahardane, across Mayo, over 4,300 people are currently without access to a GP due to a shortage of full-time practitioners according to Gerry Loftus, founder of Rural Ireland Organisation.

Local residents expressed worries about the future viability of their parish, with concerns extending to neighbouring areas like Glenisland, Burren, Bellacorrick, and Keenagh.

The potential loss of GP care threatens not only the health and well-being of residents but also the long-term attractiveness of the area for retirees and newcomers.

The meeting also highlighted a broader issue of centralisation of healthcare services into urban areas, leaving rural communities underserved.

Attendees criticised the political response, with only two councillors present from among the local representatives.

The area falls within Castlebar, Ballina and Westport Municipal districts.

Aidan Browne, a Lahardane resident seeking a Social Democrats nomination for the upcoming local elections, welcomed the news of the GP application.

He highlighted the pivotal role of GPs in rural communities and called for continued support for existing healthcare resources.

The HSÉ has been approached for comment.