The HSE have confirmed that the current arrangement involving the MIDOC service is set to continue.
So says Fine Gael Councillor Thomasina Connell following a meeting of Dublin Mid-Leinster Regional Health Committee recently.
Here, she tabled a motion calling on the HSE to ensure continuity of the MIDOC service at St. Fintan’s Campus in Portlaoise.
In response, the HSE said: “HSE Midlands Louth Meath CHO would like to reassure service users and patients that arrangements have been put in place between the HSE and local GP’s which will ensure continuity of care.
“Patients with urgent medical needs will continue to access the service as normal by calling the same number 1850 302 702.
“There is a financial review ongoing with MIDOCGL CLG and the HSE since 2022, and this continues and in the interest of this process we are not in position to advise further on this at this time.”
Cllr Connell said: “A number of days before Christmas the private company ‘MIDOC CP CLG’ who operated the out of hours service in Portlaoise announced it was to cease trading on 31st December.
“This news caused untold upset to many in the community of Portlaoise and the wider County of Laois at a particularly critical time when people would look to attend an Out of Hours GP service.
“The timing of the announcement, being on Christmas week, was very poor and resulted in a significant rise in the numbers attending the A & E at Portlaoise Hospital in the belief that the MIDOC service was no longer in operation.
“The HSE confirmed that there had been no interruption in the service since the private company ceased trading and they have continued to stand by the service while a formal process is undertaken to engage an alternative company to operate the MIDOC service.
“I am glad to have received a full explanation from the HSE as to where things now stand and look forward to hearing the outcome of their efforts to engage a new operator for the Out of Hours GP service.
“For now, arrangements have been put in place between the HSE and local GPs in Laois that will ensure continuity of the Out of Hours GP service.
“Patients with urgent medical needs will continue to access the service as normal by calling 1800 302 702.”
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