Cllr John McCluskey, who was voted into the new council after campaigning for the return of Roslea’s GP surgery, has been informed by the head of the Pathfinder project, deputy chief executive of the Western Trust Kieran Downey, the service will not now being coming back to the village. 

There had been some glimmers of hope in recent times with the idea of a mobile GP service in the area initially welcomed by the Trust, followed by a local man offering the old surgery services for use. 

In an email to Cllr McCluskey, Mr Downey said he could confirm he had met with the Health and Social Care Board, the body that oversees GP provision, and those at Maple Practice in Lisnaskea and that there was “no prospect of a general practice returning to Roslea.” 

Mr Downey added, however, plans for the new healthcare centre in Lisnaskea were continuing to progress while  Maple Practice remained committed to providing care for Roslea patients. 

Cllr McCluskey said a Pathfinder meeting in Roslea in February had ended with much optimism that something could be done, but added “we are now in a completely new world.”

“We’re absolutely opposed to this and we’re going to stand up to them with every ounce of physical and mental strength we have because it’s a matter of life and death,” said Cllr McCluskey. “We are absolutely not going to lay down on this one.” 

The Roslea man said he was inviting member of the Trust and health service to what he said would likely be a massive public meeting on the issue in Roslea, and would also be inviting the local party leaders. 

Details are to be confirmed of this meeting.