THE LOCAL Council is to seek a special meeting with the Department of Health’s Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) in relation to the growing crisis in unfilled GP rotas in the local area.
The councillors made the call after it emerged that the Dromore, Trillick and Fintona areas had no GP cover on Friday May 3, leading members to question the capability of the SPPG to ensure rotas are suitably filled, especially in such a wide rural area with an estimated 20,000 patients.
Cllr Stephen McCann previously said on the day in question the practices had no GP cover, causing “huge concern, especially as it was the Friday before a Bank Holiday weekend.”
He proposed writing to the SPPG, asking “if they have any concerns around operating a functioning rota in the coming months, especially during the summer when childcare could become an issue for locum GPs in the area, or they may be taking time off”.
“It’s concerning what may lie ahead of us in coming months,” he added.
In a reply, presented to the most recent Council meeting, Sharon Gallagher from the SPPG, noted the Council’s concerns and recognised: “That being able to access GP practices when we need to do so is important for all of us.”
She continued, “The Council will undoubtedly be aware that regionally GP practices are under significant pressure as they deal with high levels of demand and the consequences of wider service pressures.
“Supported by the Department, the Western Trust is working hard to stabilise the workforce and the process to recruit salaried GPs has commenced.
“Filling posts on a permanent basis will enable a more stable service response.
“Whilst this will be helpful as an immediate first step, longer-term sustainable solutions are required, and my team are working with the GP community and other stakeholders on that basis.
“More broadly, my team continues to support with the GP Federation-led Primary Care Improvement and Crisis Response Team (PICRT) to stabilise clinical rotas in all practices and ensure that clinical cover can be secured to provide safe GMS services.
“Initiatives such as the introduction of General Practice Pharmacists and Advanced Nurse Practitioners are available to many practices across Northern Ireland to assist in the provision of a Primary Care Team in all GP practices.
“SPPG have also commissioned an ‘Attract, Recruit, Retain’ scheme to support GP practices to attract, recruit and retain GPs into practice teams.”
Chief executive Alison McCullagh pointed to the Western Trust, which has taken on responsibility for the practices, being unable to respond to the concerns, adding: “It would be appropriate to seek a special meeting of the Health and Social Care Subcommittee specifically with SPPG to discuss these primary care-related matters.”
Cllt Diana Armstrong proposed stated, “I raised similar concerns on behalf of Irvinestown GP practices.
“It’s better we have an understanding of what stresses are facing GP services locally so work can be done in advance to prevent that.”
Having been seconded by Cllr John Feely, the proposal passed unanimously.
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