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A new temporary contractor has been appointed to manage GP services for the 5,300 patients of Maphoner Surgery in Mullaghbane and all people currently signed up to the practice should continue to contact it as normal.
The Southern Health and Social Care Trust has been asked by the Department of Health to temporarily take over the management of the Maphoner Surgery following the retirement of the current GP.
From 1 July, the Trust will support all current General Medical services in the practice. All 5,300 patients of Maphoner Surgery will continue to be registered with the practice. Letters will be issued to all patients later this week and they should continue to contact the practice in the usual way.
The Department of Health hass said they will continue with work to secure a permanent GP contractor for the practice over the coming months.
Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has welcomed the news. Mr McNulty said: “I have had intensive meetings with health authorities in recent months in relation to protecting Mullaghbawn Surgery and I very much welcome the announcement by the Trust today that they will be stepping in to take over management of the Surgery.
“The appointment of locum GPs to Mullaghbawn for the short term until a permanent managing GP can be found will provide relief and reassurance to local patients and will ensure that staff can be confident about their jobs and the future of services at the practice.
“The challenges in primary care are well documented, and South Armagh has some of the worst GP to patient ratios in the North. I am deeply grateful to all those who worked together to protect Mullaghbawn Surgery and ensure that this crisis did not become a catastrophe.”
Slieve Gullion Councillor Áine Quinn has also welcomed the news. Cllr Quinn said “I am pleased that a new contractor has been temporarily appointed to manage Mullaghbawn GP surgery. This will give much-needed certainty to the thousands of patients who rely on these services all across South Armagh. It will also give the Trust and the Department of Health space to work on finding a permanent GP to secure the long-term future of the practice."
“It’s important that patients are notified quickly of any changes made to services at the practice to make this transition as smooth as possible.
“Sinn Féin and others have worked with the Department for Health for months now to find a solution and protect GP services in this practice. We need an Executive formed now and a health minister in place to invest in the health service and ensure people have first-class services.”
