Deputy Cowen moves to clear confusion surrounding MIDOC

BARRY Cowen TD has clarified that a third party service will provide out of hours doctor cover until January 15. This follows the shock announcement on Christmas Eve that the MIDOC out of hours service was to cease on December 31.

Deputy Cowen said that the company MIDOC GP CLG had provided the service and employed doctors and locums etc. However, they have now ceased operations. In the meantime the HSE has stepped in to pay those who were employed by the company in order to continue with the service. He says the HSE is continuing to try to put a more permanent structure in place after January 15.

Barry Cowen says he has sought a meeting with the HSE to ensure this will happen.

There had been a lot of confusion locally after Deputy Cowen and Deputy Carol Nolan appeared to suggest that some type of agreement had already been reached for the service to continue as normal.

On December 30, 2022 Barry Cowen TD said, ''I’m pleased that extensive discussions between the HSE, local GP's and IMO (Irish Medical Organisation) have ensured that the current out of hours GP service will continue as normal. However I am urging all parties to continue these discussions to ensure that we secure an out of hours GP service that works best for the public and medical practitioners,'' said Deputy Cowen.

Carol Nolan TD said on social media that, ''following discussions in recent days between HSE, GP's and IMO a decision has been reached that the MIDOC service will continue to operate in Offaly, Laois and the wider Midlands region as normal, however there are many questions that need answers in terms of how this vital service was even being considered by the HSE for closure in the first place and I will certainly be posing these questions.''

Today January 3 a statement from the HSE said: ''As outlined in our press statement 23 December 2023, the HSE has engaged a 3rd party agency (that has already been providing medical support to MIDOC GP CLG) to provide appropriate cover until 15 January 2023 based on normal and scheduled GP out of hours practice and rosters while the HSE confirms an alternative provider.

This means that as of 01 January 2023, patients call the same number and attend whichever of the existing treatment centres they are directed to attend, if required. The HSE is working to ensure that the interim solution will be extended to facilitate discussions on a long term solution. The HSE will provide ongoing updates as we support the GPs and members of the public due to the untimely departure of MIDOC GP CLG.''

Fears that the service will close couldn't have come at a worse time, as hospital emergency departments are trying to grapple with overcrowding.

Tullamore and Portlaoise hospitals are experiencing a high level of attendances and admissions in recent days. Where possible management is asking patients with non-emergency conditions to seek assistance from other parts of the health service such as their local Pharmacist or GP.

Tullamore hospital says that ''unfortunately, patients who are presenting at the Emergency Departments with non-urgent conditions may experience long waiting times to be seen.''