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The Minister of Health has been called on to urgently break the deadlock with GPs over contract terms with local MLA Justin McNulty warning that ongoing uncertainty threatens the future of two vital GP practices in South Armagh.
Speaking on the continuing uncertainty the Newry and Armagh MLA said: “There is a very real and growing concern among patients and staff that Maphoner and Rathkeeland GP practices—lifelines for thousands of people in South Armagh—could be left in limbo.
“This is not just an abstract contract dispute. It is about whether a parent in Mullaghbawn can get their child seen by a doctor. Whether an older person in Crossmaglen can renew essential prescriptions. Whether chronic illnesses go unmanaged because local care simply is not there.
“We cannot allow these communities to become collateral damage in a wider system failure. The Department must step up, engage with GP representatives in good faith, and urgently put in place the support and flexibility needed to secure new leadership for these practices."
Mr McNulty believes that South Armagh already faces unique geographic and health challenges and that they cannot afford to see GP services collapse by neglect.
The MLA concluded "The SDLP is calling for immediate clarity from the Department of Health on what actions it is taking to stabilise services in South Armagh, and a wider strategic plan to safeguard GP provision across rural Northern Ireland."
