Fears over Caredoc services as flu surges in Kilkenny

As the flu virus continues to surge there are concerns that out-of-hours GP services in Kilkenny will be cancelled over the coming days impacting hundreds of patients.

Staff at Caredoc, the out-of-hours GP provider for Kilkenny, are due to begin intermittent strike action from tomorrow (December 18) into the new year due to the continued failure to implement a Workplace Relations Commission pay agreement.

Senator Patricia Stephenson has warned that out-of-hours GP services in Kilkenny are at serious risk of being severely disrupted in the coming weeks unless the Minister for Health takes immediate steps to resolve an escalating industrial dispute.

“This should never have been allowed to reach crisis point.

Caredoc staff in Kilkenny provide an essential frontline service for families across both counties every evening, night and weekend. They were promised an 8% pay rise more than two years ago, and it is simply unacceptable that this money has not been delivered.”

“If this strike goes ahead, our communities in Kilkenny  will be left without a vital
out-of-hours GP service at the height of the winter surge. Without Caredoc, people will have no option but to turn to already overloaded emergency departments.”

Senator Stephenson highlighted that St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny is already operating at or above safe capacity, with sustained overcrowding pressures throughout the year.

“St Luke’s is under enormous strain even before the Christmas period begins. Any loss of out-of-hours GP care will drive more patients into its emergency department, worsening delays and increasing risks for patients and staff alike.

“The Minister for Health must intervene immediately to ensure this pay agreement is implemented and to avert strike action. The people of Kilkenny cannot be left facing a collapse in out-of-hours services at the very moment they are needed most,” she said.

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 “Caredoc staff in Kilkenny deliver an invaluable service and deserve fair pay and working conditions in line with their HSE colleagues.

“A swift resolution is essential to protect patient safety and maintain healthcare access for our communities over Christmas and into the new year,” concluded Senator Stephenson.

Mediation discussions took place in Dublin on Tuesday (December 16) with the HSE.

“We will be engaging with the public in the coming days on the alternative arrangements available to them during the strike period and we apologise sincerely in advance to both patients and their families for the disruption and inconvenience caused by such strike action,” said a Caredoc spokesperson.