Extra day sought for ‘Swad’ HSE clinic

It was asked at the January meeting of Cavan-Belturbet Municipal District why the Swanlinbar HSE Clinic was not open on Fridays.

Fine Gael’s Peter McVitty raised the query, telling his fellow elected members and council executive present that it was an “ongoing issue” of concern to those living in the area.

It dates back to when Drs Jacqueline Ellis-Deering and Kevin Deering, who had provided a GP service at the Swanlinbar Health Centre for 28 years, retired.

The HSE has advertised the list but struggled to source a GP, and instead opted to fill the position on a locum basis on a four days a week contract.

Cllr McVitty suggested the current situation was having a knock on effect in the numbers attending already under pressure A&Es.

He asked that the council write to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and his department, and also the HSE, about changing the situation.

“A solution needs to be found,” he told the meeting. “If somebody does get sick they have to go to A&E, and that’s only blocking up the thing. It’s very frustrating.”

There was support for the motion from fellow area councillors - Fianna Fáil’s Patricia Walsh, Áine Smith and Independent Brendan Fay.

Fianna Fáil’s John Paul Feeley also supported the motion. He stated that the locum in position was providing a very good and welcome service, and it was his understanding that they too would be willing to operate on a five day contract if one was offered by the HSE.

“It’s a great and expanding service,” he said of the provision at present in the West Cavan village.