Applications close (again) for vacant Swad GP position

Applications for a full-time permanent GP in Swanlinbar closed last week, April 25. This is the sixth time the HSE has embarked on an open recruitment campaign regarding the service.

A spokesperson for the HSE didn't say how many applications were received but did say: "The HSE is now working through the shortlisting process to schedule interviews in two to three weeks' time."

Since the retirement of former GP, Dr Deering, in 2020, the role has been filled on a locum basis.

The successful candidate will be required to provide 10 four-hour sessions per week from Monday to Friday each week.

GPs are not employed by the HSE but are instead contracted to the role.

The latest attempt at finding a permanent GP for the West Cavan village comes after locals and politicians objected to a proposed pilot scheme that would have seen the service managed out of Ballyconnell.

That proposal was met with an angry reaction from locals, who staged a public meeting and lobbied elected officials for support.

The HSE confirmed it had been at an “advanced stage” towards implementing the change, which would have seen a GP located in Swanlinbar for three full days per week, with a commitment to increase the service to include the other two mornings “if required”.

They had stated that, maintaining the Swanlinbar surgery on a locum basis, was “not a sustainable nor viable option”.

In a statement to the Celt, the HSE has apologised to the Ballyconnell practice for any “difficulty” this approach may have caused.

The HSE said the approach was made in “good faith” and that the practice in Ballyconnell had engaged “to work out how they” might best support the community in Swanlinbar.

This proposal was subsequently communicated locally, but given how “the situation progressed”, the Ballyconnell doctor’s practice advised the HSE they did “not wish to proceed” with the pilot arrangement.

“We regret if our approach to them caused them any difficulty in their community,” said the HSE spokesperson.

The sixth time advertisement of the Swanlinbar GP post was welcomed by Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil, TD, Brendan Smith who said: “I sincerely hope that there will be a successful outcome to this campaign. I know that the patients of the Swanlinbar practice and the wider community in Glangevlin, Corlough, Bawnboy and Swanlinbar are anxious to have this position filled on a permanent basis.”