Unified political campaign underway to ensure rural north Mayo parish retains GP service

Caoimhín Rowland

A third meeting in as many weeks in Lahardane Community centre welcomed three TD’s in a “cross-party” campaign to maintain a GP practice in Lahardane.

Fine Gael deputies Michael Ring and Alan Dillon, as well as Rose-Conway Walsh made the trip to the north Mayo village this morning to hear from a locality left reeling from news of their local GP vacating his position and the HSE amalgamating both Lahardane and Crossmolina practices.

The HSE is facing criticism for allegedly turning away a dedicated GP who expressed a strong interest in serving Lahardane but his application came too late as the GMS number had already moved to Crossmolina.

Representation has been made by all three TD’s to the Minister for Health and Taoiseach on the matter. A meeting with the HSE will take place later next week. Deputy Alan Dillon offered to chair the meeting involving the HSE and local Lahardane stakeholders.

Sinn Fein TD Rose Conway Walsh stated the government has created a “monster” in the HSE. Deputy Ring alluded to a potential change of government tackling the HSE as a priority. Both Walsh and Ring mentioned a previous GP saga five years ago involving the same GP when he was moving practice from Erris to Lahardane, “The good news is that it can be solved, we know we went through all of this in Glenamoy, it can be solved. The will is there to solve it,” deputy Walsh stated.

A plan of action was formed by hearing from representatives, community members and the meeting organiser Gerry Loftus of the Rural Ireland Organisation. It was put by Donna Sheridan, a Fine Gael Councillor, who outlined a 3 point plan that needs to take place as soon as possible. The GMS number needs to come back to Lahardane first of all. Ensure the HSE advertise the position and then make sure the interested GP applies.

More inside Tuesday's edition of the Connaught Telegraph