INDEPENDENT Donegal TD, Thomas Pringle, insists “there is still a long way to go” with respect to addressing the lack of healthcare services in the county, as he supported a motion in Dáil Éireann calling on government to increase GP numbers.
Deputy Pringle has welcomed the opening, on Tuesday, of the new Ballyshannon Community Hospital but criticises the lack of investment in health services generally.
“Facilities like Killybegs Community Hospital have the potential to provide well-needed community healthcare to rural communities if they were given the necessary funding to do so.
“I was contacted by constituents recently who were unable to receive any physiotherapy because the only physiotherapist available was off on annual leave. It should never be the case that an entire hospital is relying on one physio,” Deputy Pringle (pictured) told the
Dáil.
Speaking in support of the Rural Independent Group’s motion on Healthcare Provision in Rural Communities, Deputy Pringle said it’s important that community healthcare services divert people from
hospitals.
“I support this motion’s call for the government to increase the number of GPs through sustained funding
and a long-term GP workforce strategy.
“It has become clear in recent years that Ireland does not have enough GPs to meet patient numbers, especially in rural Ireland. This is not a new issue,” he said.
In response to the motion it has been revealed that GP practices in towns will soon be offered financial incentives to set up satellite surgeries in rural areas.
Government Chief Whip Hildegarde Naughton told the Dáil that the HSE is currently working on the plan.
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