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Concerns over a proposal to close Mullaghbawn Surgery has resulted in 6 neighbouring medical practices covering the South Armagh area writing a letter to the Department of Health citing concerns regarding the possibility of the 5,300 patients from Mullaghbawn being distributed around their practices. The letter siad that it had the potential to destabilise South Armagh GP surgeries.
Local political representatives have been quick to condemn the proposals. Last week SDLP MLA Justin McNulty said proposals to close the surgery should be totally rejected.
Today Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy said the future of the practice must be secured. Mr Murphy said “The potential closure of Mullaghbawn GP surgery is deeply concerning for patients who use the practice.We have spoken with local GPs about the impact of this closure on other surgeries in the area who are already at breaking point.
“The Department of Health must urgently work to find a solution to this crisis that secures the future of this practice which helps to support 5000 people.
“This issue is not unique to South Armagh, across the north we have seen a number of GP surgeries facing similar issues over recent months.
“We need an Executive formed now and parties working together to tackle the problems in our health service and support our public services.”
Aontú Local Government candidate for Slieve Gullion Liam Reichenberg called on the Southern Trust to support GP services in South Armagh in the face of looming closures.
Speaking today, Mr Reichenberg said “There is a spiralling crisis in our local GP services. Six different South Armagh based GP surgeries have written to the Department of Health concerned that the Mullaghbawn practice may close. Mullaghbawn is set to be without a GP by the end of June. This will mean that more than 5,000 patients will have to go to the other GP surgeries in South Armagh. These surgeries are already at breaking point, having to accept potentially several hundred more patients could push them over the edge. Surrounding GPs are telling us that they will not be able to treat the surge in patients that will follow the Mullaghbawn closure.”
Mr Reichenberg continued “Mullaghbawn is my own GP clinic. I understand the fear that many families must be under at the point in time about the impact that this closure will have on their access to healthcare. The Department of Health must ensure that the Southern Trust takes over the GP practice until a replacement GP can be found or provide sufficient investment into surrounding GP services so that they're able to deal with this influx.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said their staff are working extensively to ensure the continuation of GP services for the local community in Mullaghbawn and that they are still in discussions with potential contractors to take over the current contract for Maphoner Surgery from 1 July 2023. They added that Patients of the surgery should continue to contact their practice as normal for their healthcare needs.
The spokesperson said "The Department acknowledges the ongoing and significant pressures on GP practices, stemming from the fact that demand for their services is outstripping capacity to provide it.
"Notwithstanding budgetary pressures, the Department is committed to building the GP workforce. We have made significant progress in relation to the number of GPs we train each year. The number of GP training places in Northern Ireland has been increased by 70% from 2015 levels in recent years. The review of places is ongoing and the Department will consider recommendations from the review of training places in the future.
"The Department has also recently streamlined the processes for GPs who qualified in a number of countries to take up roles in Northern Ireland."
