Published: Friday, 11th June, 2010 3:28pm

HSE must support Edenderry Midoc service plans - council

Edenderry Town Council is to write to the Health Minister Mary Harney, Brian Cowen in his capacity as local TD and the other Laois/Offaly TDs, inviting them to pay an official visit to the town to discuss the lack of a Midoc service.

Councillors recently met with local GP Dr Paul Fahy to discuss the situation in the town, which has resulted in local GPs being overworked and puts people's health in danger. There were apologies from Dr Brady and Dr McAleer. Currently, the doctors in the town take one night each to be on call, then a locum covers Friday night, Saturday and Sunday. However, the group heard that there could be a problem with employing locums in the future.

"We found it very helpful, Dr Fahy filled us in on what we really do need," said Cllr Jim Murrin.

"The doctors here are overworked and under tremendous pressure."

Cllr John Foley (FF) said that what was needed was "money and willpower" to bring a Midoc service to the town.

"There's a possibility of a link-up with Tullamore... it just needs political influence," he said.

"The doctors are tired, they're burnt out. We don't have a doctor service if one of them is sick, that's the reality."

"The doctors are at burn out," agreed Cllr Fergus McDonnell. "They feel entirely let down by the HSE... We need the urgent support of the HSE."

Cllr Declan Leddin said that Fianna Fáil councillors should lobby their local TD. "The Taoiseach met with local GPs here two years ago, but nothing has happened since."

He said that Liam O'Callaghan HSE local area manager, said that the best solution would be to extend a Midoc service from Tullamore and also include Moate as well as North Offaly.

"Is it money or staffing delaying us? Maybe both," said Cllr Leddin.

He pointed out that the cost of setting up the Midoc unit was estimated at €150,000.

There was also a suggestion at that meeting with Mr O'Callaghan that nurses working in Birr could be moved to work in the Midoc call centre in Tullamore, however there could be union opposition to that move.

Cllr Hogan said that the Midoc saga had been going on for years.

"We're being fobbed off and so are the GPs," agreed Cllr Murrin.

"We got somewhere with Mary Harney with the ambulance, should we just meet her first and see the outcome?"

Cllr O'Neill said that if Minister Harney was being invited for a meeting, then so should the Taoiseach and Junior Minister John Moloney.

"We should see Brian Cowen - go for the jugular," he said.

The councillors agreed on a motion to be forward to the members of both Offaly County Council and Tullamore Town Council seeking their formal support at their next meetings.

The motion, agreed by the members of Edenderry Town Counci, will request the active and continued support of Offaly County Council and Tullamore Town Council in efforts to have the HSE provide an out of hours service in North Offaly