Thurles Asks HSE, “What’s Up Doc”.

Thurles residents have been emailing us today, asking us as to the present whereabouts of the new Locum set to replace the much loved, now retiring, Dr. John Healy, here in Thurles.

Please now find attached a statement from Deputy Michael Lowry, on the current situation with respect to this problem and a reply which he has received from the HSE.

Deputy Lowry’s Statement;

“Since Monday last I have received complaints from numerous patients who are deeply upset and concerned about the uncertainty around the provision of GP care, following the retirement of Dr. John Healy. I have been in contact with the HSE who have now informed me that the earliest a Locum will be in place is Monday 24th of April next.

This situation is totally unsatisfactory and has caused huge stress and anxiety to patients, in particular older and vulnerable patients. I have asked the HSE to ensure that additional emergency cover is put in place for Dr. Healy’s patients, until a replacement Locum has been posted.”

Reply To Deputy Lowry;

^{Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin Sinsearach, Seirbhísí um Chúram Príomhúil , 3ú Urlár, FSS, Sráid Chaitríona, Luimneach Teil (061) 483567 ríomhphoist.
Senior Executive Officer, Primary Care Services, 3rd Floor, HSE, 31-33 Catherine St. Limerick.}

Subject: Fw: Dr Healy Thurles – Locum Replacement URGENT.

Dear Deputy Lowry,
Following on from your email query below, a locum GP was due to start yesterday 18th April, however we are still waiting on some of his paperwork. Once the paperwork is received, the doctor will commence. We were assured we would have the paperwork yesterday and the plan was that he would commence today April 19th. We have tried to source a locum G.P. for tomorrow and Friday, in the event that the paperwork does not arrive today, however we were not successful. There is a secretary at Dr Healy’s practice to re-direct the patients to the G.P.s in Thurles. No patients were redirected to an alternate G.P. yesterday, they decided to wait for the locum doctor to commence and so far today 9 patients were redirected.

The G.M.S. patients will be seen under S.T.C.s (Special Type Consultation) by the Thurles G.P.s for the next few days.

Should you have any further queries this evening , please do not hesitate to contact me. If you have any queries tomorrow or Friday can I suggest you make contact with Ms Marion Kennedy, Business Manager who is managing the issue. I have included Marion in this email so as you will have her email address.

Regards etc.

To all readers who queried this issue with us today, this is the most up-to-date information we hold to-night, and hopefully this issue will be fully solved shortly.

Meanwhile to Dr John, “Thank You” and from all here in Thurles go our best wishes to you on your well earned retirement.