Discussions to continue on future of NoWDOC

The Chairperson of the Regional Health Forum West has described as positive a meeting which was held with the HSE in light of concerns relating to the out-of-hours GP service for South Leitrim and Donegal.

The service is currently operated by NoWDOC, but Carlow-based company ‘Caredoc’ is in discussions with the Health Service Executive (HSE) with a view towards taking the service over. The meeting on Friday, involved members of the HSE, members of the Regional Health Forum and Oireachtas members. 

Chairperson Gerry McMonagle described the meeting as positive engagement, he said: “I think the meeting was very positive … It gave members of the forum and indeed our Oireachtas members here in the county an opportunity to outline the concerns that are out there in the wider public in relation to the NoWDOC service.”

He said the meeting also afforded HSE staff  an opportunity to raise their concerns and explain what is happening. 

The Letterkenny-based politician said he feels the concerns raised were listened to by HSE staff members adding that they will take points raised into the discussions they are having at present.  

He said that the HSE has given a commitment to come back to those who were present at the meeting in the future adding that the HSE is focused on patient safety and clinical safety. 

“We want not only that the NoWDOC services, as they currently are, to be maintained but to be improved. We would hope our voices were heard today,” he said. 

No one from Caredoc was present at the meeting. Discussions are set to continue.