GP appointed for Dunkineely - but patients still have to travel to Glenties
While the announcement is welcome, the new doctor will not be in place straight away
There will be much relief among residents of Dunkineely and Bruckless at news that a GP has been secured.
However, the wait is not yet over as it will be into the new year before the new doctor will be in place.
Dunkineely Health Centre has been without a GP since mid-November when Dr Charles McManus left to take up a role in a Glenties practice. Patients were advised at the time that they would be cared for in the Glenties practice until a replacement was found.
This has been proving difficult given the difficulty in travelling to Glenties via public transport. A number of patients have been finding it difficult to even get through to the Glenties practice on the telephone. And those who tried to register with a GP in Killybegs or Donegal Town were told that new patients were not being taken on by those practices.
The HSE announced on Wednesday that a GP had been recruited.
A spokesperson said: "This is really good news for the area at a time when GP recruitment is proving extremely difficult across the country.
"We are now progressing through the contract process with the new doctor expected to be in place early in the new year.
"Until we have concluded that process the interim arrangements in place for Dunkineely will continue. Dr Charles Mc Manus is providing cover for GMS patients from the Health Centre in Glenties. Please note that if you need to visit the GP you should call 074 9557811 to make an appointment."