HSE re-advertises Swanlinbar GP post

The HSE has advertised the position of General Practitioner for Swanlinbar.

The position is currently filled on a locum basis out of the Community Healthcare Centre in the west Cavan village.

The previous GP retired from the Swanlinbar practice in October 2020, following which the HSE has continued to re-advertise the post on an ongoing basis and, according to a spokesperson, “will continue to do so until it is filled”.

They added: “The HSE remains unsuccessful in recruiting a GP permanently into this post as none of the applications received to date met the recruitment eligibility criteria including holding the necessary qualifications.”

The deadline for the current advertising period is at the end of this month.

The HSE spokesperson explained that, in the interim, the HSE has put in place a “Doctor in Charge” at the Swanlinbar practice.

“This means that the HSE is directly responsible for the provision of medical services to medical card and GP visit cardholders assigned to this practice until a new GP is permanently recruited to take charge of this practice," a spokesperson confirmed.

Since November 2020, a GP is providing medical services in the practice following recruitment by the HSE on an interim basis through an agency that holds a contract with the HSE. "This arrangement remains in place and is working well,” said the HSE.

Move by Kilnaleck GP

It is one of several developments regarding local GPs in the county at present, after the GP practice in Kilnaleck moved to Ballinagh, opening June 6.

“This is due to the premises the GP was leasing has been sold within the past few days. All current patients assigned to this practice have been informed of the new location by the GP practice and they will continue to be offered services from the new location. No other suitable premises were available in Kilnaleck,” say the HSE.

In Belturbet meanwhile the running of the GP practice there has changed over from the now retired Dr Muredach Fergus to Dr Scott Hanan.

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