An urgent intervention from the Department of Health is required to continue GP services in Dromore and Trillick, the local council has been told.
There was widespread concern in the Fermanagh and Omagh District council chamber this week as local representatives talked of a looming ‘crisis’ with the local GP in the area set to retire at the end of the month.
More than 5,500 patients are registered at the GP surgery, with several local representatives citing resident concerns that nearby GP practices are not taking on any new patients.
Read more: Co Tyrone boy, 11, thanks Air Ambulance after swift response to school accident
Dr Declan Morgan signalled his intention to resign a number of months ago but a replacement GP has yet to be found for the practice.
Sinn Féin councillor Stephen McCann described the issue as ‘increasingly precarious’.
“As this council will know, the period of notice given by the outgoing GP Dr Morgan is up at the end of this month, it’s a matter of days away,” Cllr McCann said.
“As we stand at the moment a replacement GP has not yet been found. The situation now is of the utmost seriousness and an urgent intervention by the Health Minister is now required.
“Trillick and Dromore surgery is a very busy practice, with the deadline of 30 June fast approaching and with no certainty about what will happen after that date, almost six thousand people will find themselves displaced in terms of GP access.
“This will inevitably compound on an already pressurised GP service in the region.
“This is really, really worrying and concerning."
Independent councillor and local GP Dr Josephine Deehan said the situation had become desperate for those involved.
“As a healthcare professional, my concern is for the patients of Dromore and Trillick and this period of deep uncertainty is very troubling for them,” Cllr Deehan said.
“I feel that this council needs to do everything that it can to avert what can only be described as a crisis.
“Desperate situations require desperate actions. We urgently need to get the Minister onboard.”
Read more: Sadness among community as Magherafelt crash victim named as Ainslie Gordon
Read more: Mum thanks Belfast taxi driver after act of kindness following teen son’s brain surgery
To get the latest Co Tyrone news straight to your inbox, sign up to our free newsletter.
