Morale at out-of-hours GP service in Limerick 'on the floor' after the spike in calls
STAFF at out-of-hours GP service Shannondoc had to endure “foul abuse” from frustrated patients unable to secure a doctor’s appointment, a union official has said.
Mark Quinn of Siptu, who represents front-line staff in the medical sector, said the Dooradoyle facility was “inundated” over Christmas, and workers there are now seeking a meeting with management to discuss the situation.
“Our members had to face the most overwhelming pressure they’ve ever had to face. No additional resources were put in place to cope with the amount of patients presenting to Shannondoc, and by virtue of the pressure they were under, morale was on the floor,” he said.
“Staff at the centres were unable to cope. They were getting foul abuse from the public. We can understand their frustration, they were waiting hours to get through to Shannondoc, or alternatively, they had to wait hours to be seen by a Shannondoc doctor,” the union official added.
Mr Quinn said some people were calling the service 40 or 50 times, and unable to get through.
This in turn caused a spike in numbers attending University Hospital Limerick’s emergency department (ED), as they were unable to see a GP.
Over the last few weeks, the Limerick Leader/Limerick Live has detailed the time and conditions patients have spent in the ED, particularly over Christmas.
For its part, Shannondoc said at peak times over the festive season, it experienced a “huge surge in patients” with on average, one patient every minute being seen. There was a 35% increase in doctor consultations over Christmas, they added.
Shannondoc also said it rostered 30% more doctors on over the Christmas period.
In response to a parliamentary question from Tipperary Sinn Fein TD Martin Browne, the HSE said there are 67 GPs participating in ShannonDoc in Limerick city and county.
This data was presented on February 25 last year.
Mr Quinn said the number of doctors actively providing an overnight service at Shannondoc in Limerick now is lower – potentially only 12.
“It’s not even close to 67. The response paints an inaccurate picture of the situation on the ground,” he said.
Sinn Fein’s Limerick-based Senator Paul Gavan said: “As long as I’ve been in the Seanad, I’ve been told there has to be a major focus on giving people alternatives to going to the ED. The reality is they are not there. Shannondoc wasn’t fit for purpose, very possibly is not fit for purpose as we speak. Fine Gael has had 12 years to deal with this, and they’ve failed.”
The figures presented to Mr Browne suggested there are 46 GPs taking part in Shannondoc in Co Clare.
But Mr Quinn again disputed this, saying his staff on the ground say there are just eight doctors providing a service in Ennis.