A meeting between a GP surgery in Lisnaskea, which is under severe pressure, and local politicians has been described as “productive” and it is hoped there will be further engagement in the future to make progress on the issues faced.

Doctors from Maple Healthcare along with a representative from the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Health and Social Care Northern Ireland (HSCNI) met with local councillors and MLAs.

Discussions around the lack of doctors, struggles with recruitment and possible solutions to alleviate pressures all took place as both sides spoke on issues that have plagued the surgery for several years.

Issues facing surgery

A statement from the health centre following the meeting said it was hoped those in attendance came out of the meeting with a better understanding of the issues facing the surgery and they have taken on board some of the points made to them.

“We are heartened to have the support of our local political representatives as we implement some new measures to encourage GP recruitment into the area.

“As a practice, we increased our patient list size in 2017 from 9,000 patients to 14,500 when we took over providing care for the Practices of Dr. Leary, Lisnaskea; Dr. Devlin, Newtownbutler and Dr. Collins, Rosslea when those GPs retired.

“We are committed to doing our best for our patients and work with a physiotherapist, mental health practitioners and advanced nurse practitioners as part of our healthcare team to help improve access for patients, whilst continuing to try to recruit more GPs.

“We welcome the support of our local politicians in trying to recruit more doctors and healthcare professionals to work in our local area.”

Lack of GPs was one of the main issues discussed with politicians and how they can be attracted to Fermanagh.

Independent Councillor, Eamon Keenan, spoke about the possibility of cash incentives for doctors something that has been tried in Scotland and Wales.

As well as incentives, Councillor Keenan, wrote to Health Minister, Robin Swann, following the meeting to restart a training pilot scheme that was in place at the surgery before it stopped.

“I am glad that the meeting took place with Maple and that overall it was constructive. They admitted they are having issues with recruiting doctors and want help with this.

“I have emailed Robin Swann stating some of the issues that the patients and the G.P. Surgery are facing and I’ve asked for support, both financially to try and attract Doctors to our local area and with the G.P. Training scheme.

“I would also like to thank everyone who came forward to participate in the public meetings and I would like to thank the Community Health Committee for their input and their help in raising the issue as well as their commitment to help improve the delivery of their local health service.”

NHS underfunding

“One thing I am concerned with is the deliberate underfunding of the NHS and the continuous financial attacks which I would be concerned may lead to the creeping privatisation of the health service.

“I believe that what we need is an All Ireland National Health service free at the point of entry from the cradle to the grave.

Sinn Féin’s Sheamus Greene hopes the meeting is the first of ongoing engagement to resolve the problems.

“I proposed that these meetings must continue.

“I raised concerns that were brought to me by local people and progress must be made.

“It is very clear just how passionate the GPs are about providing a high standard of care but they are struggling due to poor facilities and the inability to recruit medical professionals.

“One of the game changers will be when the proposed new Health Centre is built in Lisnaskea.

“I would appeal to Robin Swann to finally do his job and sign off on this long-awaited project which was first proposed 17 years ago.”

DUP MLA, Arlene Foster was also in attendance at the meeting she described as “vitally important”.

“Fermanagh has a lack of GPs as a result of a number who have retired in recent years, coupled with attracting young Doctors to the area. This is something that with political will, we can turn around and it is important that the Health Minister understands the issues facing rural areas, particularly in Fermanagh.

“As someone who is a patient of Maple Group, I understand the problems that exist but I want to put on record my thanks to the Doctors and staff of that surgery. During the meeting, it was very clear their commitment to the South East Fermanagh area and their desire to support people in their health and wellbeing.

“I have been in touch with the Health Minister to voice my concerns regarding recruitment and retention of GPs to the Western area and to see support in place for staff, which will in turn help create better services for patients also.”

Dr. Laura McDonnell, a member of BMA’s Western Local Medical Committee and a GP based in Irvinestown, was present at the meeting and highlighted to stakeholders present that all GP practices in Northern Ireland continue to face unprecedented demand and how this was particularly acute in more rural western areas such as Fermanagh where there is a well-documented existing workforce problems and great difficulty in recruiting GPs even before the pandemic.

She also appealed to political representatives present at the meeting to lobby for the urgent roll-out of the Enhanced primary care multidisciplinary teams to the South West GP Federation and to support primary care in this region of Northern Ireland.