Fear remains of SouthDoc closure

Cork County Council is to seek assurance that a West Cork SouthDoc facility will remain open amidst growing fear of imminent closure.

The council will write to the HSE, SouthDoc, and the Department of Health following a motion by Independent councillor Alan Coleman calling for clarity of the issue.

Cllr Coleman said constituents and medical professionals in the Clonakilty area are extremely worried about the impact a closure of the out-of-hours GP service would have on the area. He said he had already received correspondence from the HSE assuring him that there are no changes planned for the out-of-hours GP service in Clonakilty.

However, he said there is no indication from the HSE that the Clonakilty SouthDoc will remain open.

“The language being used here is reminiscent of similar language used when the SouthDoc service in Kinsale was in jeopardy,” said Cllr Coleman.

“We were assured that out-of-hour services would be maintained in Kinsale. What they didn’t tell us then was that the facility in Kinsale closed and the service was provided from Bandon,” he added.

Cllr Coleman said it is crucial that Clonakilty SouthDoc remains in service and called on the Government and the HSE to increase support for primary healthcare.

He said: “Primary health needs support from the HSE – it’s not getting it, and this is why young GPs are not joining the GP service, because they’re not getting the backup.”

Word of the possible closure of the SouthDoc facility in Clonakilty surfaced last weekend when Independent Ireland party leader, Micheal Collins posted a video on social media.

In the video, posted last Sunday, Mr Collins said he and Independent Ireland councillor, Daniel Sexton has been informed of the imminent closure of the facility.

“This will have devastating consequences for the people of Clonakilty,” said Deputy Collins, adding: “we can’t take this lying down.”

Deputy Collin’s post was quickly followed by a video the following day by Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O’Sullivan saying he had been assured directly by the head of the HSE, Bernard Gloster, that the SouthDoc service in Clonakilty will remain open.

He said he was also given the same assurances by the regional head of HSE South West, Andy Philips, and Pricilla Lynch, head of HSE Community Care in the South West.

“SouthDoc is essential for Clonakilty, it’s essential for the people of Clonakilty, access to healthcare is essential for the people of Clonakilty, and it is an absolute priority for me,” said Deputy O’Sullivan.

A statement from the HSE said: “HSE South West is aware of speculation about changes to SouthDoc services to people in Clonakilty. HSE South West confirms that there are no changes planned to out-of-hours GP services in Clonakilty.”