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23 Oct 2025
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23 Oct 2025
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Cllr Thomasina Connell at the Midoc out-of-hours centre in Portlaoise
The withdrawal of private company owned by GPs in the midlands from out-of-hours care led to a significant rise Christmas attendances at Portlaoise hospital's emergency Department.
That's according to Laois County Council's Cathaorleach Cllr Thomasina Connell who has welcomed a commitment by the HSE that out-of-hours is still being delivered and work is ongoing to find a solution to the withdrawal of the GP company.
Cllr Connell is a member of the HSE's Dublin Mid-Leinster Regional Health Forum Committee. It allows councillors from across the region can put questions to senior HSE Officials.
The Fine Gael representative tabled a motion calling on the HSE to ensure the continuity of the MIDOC service at St. Fintan’s Campus in Portlaoise. She issued a statement following the meeting.
"A number of days before Christmas the private company ‘MIDOC GP CLG’ who operated the out of hours service in Portlaoise announced it was to cease trading on December 31. This news caused untold upset to many in the community of Portlaoise and the wider county of Laois at a particularly critical time when people would look to attend an out-of-hours GP service.
"The timing of the announcement, being on Christmas week, was very poor and resulted in a significant rise in the numbers attending the A & E at Portlaoise Hospital in the belief that the MIDOC service was no longer in operation. The HSE confirmed that there had been no interruption in the service since the private company ceased trading and they have continued to stand by the service while a formal process is undertaken to engage an alternative company to operate the MIDOC service.
"I am glad to have received a full explanation from the HSE as to where things now stand and look forward to hearing the outcome of their efforts to engage a new operator for the out-of-hours GP service," she said.
Cllr Connell said arrangements have been put in place between the HSE and local GPs in Laois that will ensure "continuity" of the out-of-hours GP service.
She added that patients with urgent medical needs will continue to access the service as normal by calling 1800 302 702.
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