THE HSE is scaling down its emergency response to Covid-19 testing in 18 counties including Donegal.
The contracts of testing staff in 18 counties will end in the coming days with future testing to be provided by GPS, supported by the National Ambulance Service.
The plan was revealed in The Irish Times, which has reported centres will remain open but after a transition period, testing will be provided by GPs, supported by the National Ambulance Service (NAS).
According to the HSE winter plan, a GP clinical pathway for Covid testing was planned for “autumn 2022” but the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) said on Friday no discussions had taken place on the issue.
Contracts for about 100 community swabbers in the midwest, east, Dublin south/Kildare/West Wicklow, Midlands/Louth-Meath and Cavan Monaghan will cease next Monday, a HSE spokesperson confirmed.
The final 100 swabbing staff are being retained in other HSE community healthcare organisations including Donegal/Sligo and Leitrim, but only until the end of January 2023.
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