FOR the first time in 170 years, Roslea is facing the future without a doctor based in the area, as the surgery closes its doors this Saturday, April 15th.

Those in need of a doctor in Roslea and surrounding areas will be forced to make round trips up to 35 miles to visit a doctor in Lisnaskea. 

From next Monday, April 17th, the Maple Group Practice, Lisnaskea will provide general medical services to all patients currently registered with Roslea Surgery, Newtownbutler Surgery and Dr Leary’s former practice at Lisnaskea. The new combined practice will be known as ‘Maple Healthcare’ and will cater for up to 14,000 patients.

In January, The Herald reported that Roslea surgery would begin eight weeks of temporary medical cover, as Dr Donal Collins retired from his long-term post and no doctors applied for the position. The temporary cover is now complete and the surgery will close this Saturday. 

A spokesman for the Health and Social Care Board confirmed the closure of Roslea doctor’s surgery saying, “In order to secure this level of treatment and care, including access to the full range of General Medical Services, it will only be possible to provide services from two sites at Lisnaskea Health Centre and Newtownbutler Surgery. The Roslea Surgery premises will be closed from April 15th onwards.”

Local Councillor, Brian McCaffery has been talking to local people about the closure of the doctor’s surgery.

“People are genuinely angry at the decision to close the surgery. There has been no public consultation about this and no consideration for the high deprivation of Roslea in regards access to services and public transport. This is an added financial worry for patients as those furthest away from Lisnaskea will be facing a 35 mile round trip just to see a GP. 

“The position was not filled when advertised in the South and the UK, but it should have been advertised in the European related medical journals to try get a doctor for Roslea,” he added.

Donal O’Cofaigh, a trade union activist expressed his dismay that three practices in the area would be being absorbed into Maple practice. “Many patients will have to rely on poor and inadequate public transport. The statement confirms that Newtownbutler practice will also close its doors when Lisnaskea gets a fifteen year delayed investment in their clinic. 

“There appears no guarantees that adequate resources will be provided to Maple to accommodate this surge in numbers, and indeed there appears already to be problems with the integration of their medical record systems,” said Mr O’Cofaigh.