Councillors concerned about Out-of-Hours GP response from Department

Permanent Secretary Peter Maye confirmed a review was carried out from January 1 to June 30, 2022, during which South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) had no absences, with “clinical cover at some point during each day”.

Omagh, however, had “a small number of dates when there has been no clinician working”, which transpired to 11 days within a four-month period.

Describing the figures as genuinely concerning, Councillor Donal O’Cofaigh, CCLA, pointed to: “The usual slight of hand. There’s been a clinician at some point at all times at SWAH, but that doesn’t necessarily mean GPs.

“Advanced Nurse Practitioners are fine, but it’s still not GPs in what is supposed to be in an Out-of-Hours GP Service.

“Even more concerning, there was no service at all for 11 days in Omagh. This is where we are with the GP crisis in our area.”

Councillor O’Cofaigh slammed what he claimed was the “complacency and lack of honesty in communications”, continuing: “Our communities are being failed. You have to time your illness or need for an Out-of-Hours GP to coincide with times of cover.

“We are the most in need of access to Out-of-Hours GPs and we don’t have any services at all for 11 days in Omagh, and we don’t even know how many days there are no GPs in Enniskillen. It’s shocking.”

Councillor Josephine Deehan, Independent, agreed, saying: “The situation with Out-of-Hours GP services is of concern.

“It is unacceptable for patients to have no access, particularly in the Omagh area.

“Western Urgent Care have made sterling efforts to improve recruitment of GPs, but such are demands at present, practices are just about managing to provide services during the day.

“It’s important patients’ needs are met appropriately. Not everyone will require a GP, as other healthcare professionals can deliver a safe service, but it is a crisis and requires immediate action.”

Independent Councillor Emmet McAleer felt the response didn’t answer the question, and “it paints a picture, particularly for the Omagh area, which is hugely concerning”.

He continued: “I query the medical background of the author who asserts the service provided is safe and designed to meet needs of clinically urgent patients.

“Our health service staff are the envy of many, but the stress, under-resourcing and underfunding is where envy stops. The number of days without any provision at all for Omagh is staggering.”

He proposed exploring whether Western Urgent Care has incurred a breach of contract “by their provision and failure to deliver”.

Councillor McAleer continued: “If the Western Trust has contracted for urgent care provision which isn’t being provided – and we have dates showing when it isn’t – is that a breach of contract?”

This was seconded by Councillor O’Cofaigh.

Ulster Unionist Councillor Victor Warrington said: “We are all very aware of the GP shortage and difficulties recruiting for this area.

“I understand Omagh Out-of-Hours went for seven straight days without GP cover. We must remember GPs cover Out-of-Hours of their own accord.

“It’s a difficult situation, and we’re dependent on GPs, but it’s not mandatory to cover Out-of-Hours.

“It’s a cold, hard fact that the bodies are not there to alleviate the problems.”

Councillor Barry McElduff, Sinn Fein, pointed to the response “suggesting 11 days is a small number to be without any clinician in Omagh – it’s 11 days in a four-month period, so I disagree”.

He added: “I’m very concerned by this developing situation. Where is the action plan and strategy to remedy this?”

He proposed asking Minister for Health Robin Swann to address the situation and ensure there is no repeat of absence cover in either Omagh or Enniskillen.

This was seconded by Councillor McAleer.

Chief Executive Alison McCullagh advised members the Council has made several requests to meet with the Minister, but “so far there hasn’t been any success in him choosing to engage directly”.

Both proposals passed unanimously.