People 'left in limbo' following closure of GP service in Dunkineely' - Cllr Gerry McMonagle

Patients are left ‘in limbo’ in the Dunkineely area following the closure of the long-established GP surgery in the area, the Chairperson of the HSE Western Regional Health Forum said this week. 

Sinn Féin Councillor Gerry McMonagle raised the issue at the HSE Western Regional Health Forum which was held in Galway on Tuesday. 

He said that he felt that the number of GPs were becoming scarce: “I mean the recent issue in Dunkineely where a GP transferred to another area - over to Glenties and that caused a lot of consternation. We would need to get a GP recruited and relocated back to that area because there is an awful lot of patients left ... in limbo now as you can imagine. It is a long drive from Dunkineely to Glenties.”

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The HSE in Donegal has confirmed it has advertised the vacant position "and are working hard to recruit a permanent replacement doctor for the area. At this time however this process has not been finalised and an interim arrangement has been put in place," the HSE said.

From last Monday, November 21, Dr Charles McManus will provide cover for GMS patients from the Health Centre in Glenties until a full-time GP service is returned to Dunkineely, the HSE stated.

Cllr McMonagle urged that work get underway to replace the GP and to get the practice ‘up and running’ again in Dunkineely. He welcomed that work was underway to fill in GP vacancies, at present.

Mr McMonagle was assured that work was underway to find a solution.