CONCERNS have been raised at the slow progress in developing Lisnaskea’s proposed new health centre.
The facility will replace the “oversubscribed” Maple Group Practice which is over 40 years old. At present it’s catering for over 14,000 patients including those previously registered in Roslea, Maguiresbridge and Newtownbutler surgeries and at Dr Leary’s former practice at Lisnaskea.
“The new centre will have to facilitate members of the public from a wider geographical area, therefore the urgency for progress is great. I am calling on the Department to move this matter on as quickly as possible to give the people of the area a service and facility that would be of huge benefit to their health and well-being,”said MLA Rosemary Barton.
Her concerns are shared by members of Roslea Save Our Surgeries who say patients are being left in a precarious position.
“The situation is simply unacceptable. People’s lives and well-being are being put at very real risk. The reality is that the proposed new Health Centre in Lisnaskea has been with the Department of Health for over 12 years and nothing has been decided to date. Any proposed Health Centre will take years before it comes to fruition meanwhile the people of Roslea and the surrounding areas are left without any sort of meaningful and sustainable service,” a spokesman said.
A Department of Health spokesman told the Herald: “The Lisnaskea Primary and Community Care Centre project is being taken forward as quickly as possible in order to provide suitable facilities for GP services which will be closely integrated with other community health services. The business case will be finalised when a suitable site is confirmed. Currently, the Department is discussing the options with local community stakeholders.”
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