ULSTER Unionist MLA Rosemary Barton believes that the Department of Health could solve the pressures on GP surgeries in Fermanagh by retraining pharmacists. 
The Fermanagh-south Tyrone MLA believes it is “highly unlikely” that replacements will not be found for those GPs who intend to retire in the area.
“Two thirds of Fermanagh practices are set to close because of a shortage of doctors entering general practice,” claimed Mrs. Barton.
“With the overwhelming shortage of GPs, and only provision made for an increase of 15 who will take several years to train, radical alternatives need to be sought. Presently more pharmacists graduate than there are employment opportunities for in Northern Ireland, could the Department of Health and our universities get together to offer incentives and fast-track programmes to enable qualified pharmacists to retrain as GPs. This would give them the opportunity of an alternative career, similar to what has happened to the teaching profession in England where there was a chronic shortage of qualified teachers.”
Mrs. Barton added: “Pharmacists have a great deal of knowledge from their previous qualifications which should enable their training to be accelerated compared to someone with no relevant training who would wish to change career. It is clear that innovative thinking is required or we will sleepwalk into a position where this county of Fermanagh with its ageing population and rural isolation will have to travel up to 40 miles to see a doctor. This must be avoided.”