Calls for permanent Swanlinbar doc replacement

While the addition of a locum doctor to serve the village of Swanlinbar is welcome, there are calls now for the HSE to commit to filling the vacant GP position full-time in the West Cavan village.

The immediate future of the rural GP service was put in doubt with news that the HSE had struggled to find a replacement for the doctors who retired at the end of last month.

For the past 28 years, Dr Jacqueline Ellis-Deering and her husband Dr Kevin Deering have been working at the Swanlinbar Health Centre.

However, a temporary locum has been appointed. Elected members on Cavan County Council were informed at their November meeting that patients were “happy” with the new arrangement.

The assertion was made on foot of a motion, asking the HSE to appoint a replacement doctor.

Fianna Fáil's Sean Smith said there had been “good reports” so far; while also thanking the Deerings for their service to the community.

“I know doctors are not that easy to come by, but there are roughly about 600 patients on the books. It is a Border town, in a rural area, and would be very important that the service is maintained there,” said Cllr Smith.

Party colleague, John Paul Feeley, supported the motion, noting that it was a “great service” that had been “well maintained” over the years, and even had scope to grow further.

Fine Gael's Peter McVitty also spoke on the issue. He emphasised the need for the service, while also praising the work of the Deerings, who on occasion, attended the Breffni Care Centre in Ballyconnell.

He suggested that the Council's own representatives on the HSE Forum for the region should raise the matter on their behalf.

Independent Cllr Brendan Fay also offered his support. “I'm all for keeping everything going in our rural communities.”