“The situation is now critical as we have witnessed again this week.” This was the reaction of Dr John Porteous, General Practitioner in Maple Group Practice, as once again recent rain had damaging effects at Lisnaskea health centre, where he says their premises were “poor and inadequate years ago.”

In recent days, the 40 year old flat roof leaked again and brought down several ceiling tiles; these have since been repaired, according to the doctor, who mentioned that over the past 18 months, repairs have been necessary on an ongoing basis due to the age of the building.
Dr Porteous stated this week that Lisnaskea health centre has been due to be replaced for the past 10 years or more. 

“Health Ministers McGimpsey, Poots and Hamilton all visited in the past and have viewed the condition of the building first hand,” he said, adding: “The heavy rain in Fermanagh last week, once again exposed the structural problems in a flat roofed building dating back to the 1970s. The fabric of the building is really decaying significantly in recent years with numerous roof leaks, plumbing and heating problems being the main issues. 

Dr Porteous pointed out: “There is a list of potential primary care centre developments in the DHSSPS awaiting funding to be available. Our development in Lisnaskea is and has been top of that list for several years now. But with all the financial pressures on Stormont and particularly with competing demands within the health service, funding has not yet been found.”

He noted: “Several times business cases have been prepared by WHSCT but when ready, the money has not been available. Now there is another business case ready, about to be passed through the Trust board on to DHSSPS in Stormont any day.”

Dr Porteous added: “Our local political representatives have been very interested in our project development and have been lobbying for us. But time is running out. Young doctors are needed to replace those retiring in this area. There are many more vacancies than GPs to fill them. We need premises in which to work and treat our patients which are fit for purpose. Good premises will help us to offer these doctors an attractive package. Poor accommodation conversely leave us in Southeast Fermanagh at a major disadvantage in securing that badly needed help.”

He continued: “Whatever remaining review processes and legislative steps needed to make this building happen must surely now be urgently completed. Our Health Minister, Michelle O’Neill, in her recent response to the Bengoa report outlined the importance of supporting GPs and primary care services. There is unfortunately no specific mention of buildings or enhancing our premises in either the report or in the Ministerial response.”

Dr Porteous concluded: “Adequate accommodation is fundamental to the future of any policy to deliver care in the community and avoidance of expensive and unnecessary hospital attendance or admissions. We, in Primary Care, cannot be expected to deliver on improvements in the community if we have poor premises. Frankly our premises were poor and inadequate years ago. The situation is now critical as we have witnessed again this week.”

Health Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “A new Lisnaskea Health Facility is one of my Department’s top capital investment priorities at the moment. A business case is currently being finalised by the Western Trust and it is expected to be submitted to the Department over the next few weeks in respect of a proposed new £10m health centre that would co locate Trust services with the GPs. This new facility would help ensure future of GP services in the area and provide an improved service for patients through the integration of Trust and Primary Care services. We will take final decisions on timing as quickly as possible after the Executive’s capital budget allocation for Health for 2017-18 and the three following years is known. Existing Services will be fully maintained in any intervening period between final decisions and any new facility being built.”