No plans to stop out of hours service at SouthDoc Macroom

THERE are no plans to discontinue the SouthDoc out of hours service in Macroom, it has been confirmed in a statement issued by Cork Kerry Community Healthcare in response to a query from The Echo.

The query followed concerns which were raised at a recent meeting of the Macroom/Millstreet Municipal District Council by Cllr Martin Coughlan and other elected members.

“We have seen what has happened in other towns around the county such as Fermoy, Mitchelstown and Kanturk,” Cllr Coughlan told The Echo. 

“We know that if we don’t voice our concerns, we won’t be heard.” 

Cllr Coughlan was referring to fears in other towns where local politicians had raised concerns over the continued service of the out of hours service. However, SouthDoc has insisted that services were continuing throughout the county but that, as always, people have to make an appointment to see a SouthDoc doctor and that this can happen in a designated clinic or in the nearest clinic or by home visit, depending on the location of an available doctor at the time.

In the statement form Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, a spokesperson said SouthDoc was ‘committed to the long-term continuation of the provision of the out-of-hours service in both the Cork and Kerry region’.

“There are no plans to close the treatment centre in Macroom,” said the spokesperson.

“The SouthDoc treatment centres will continue to operate by appointment only.

“Any patients that may require a house visit, due to their clinical condition, will be treated accordingly. SouthDoc continues to deliver the service in response to the patient needs in a manner, which assures safety, ease, and equity of access. All patients are dealt with in accordance with their clinical needs.” 

Following the clarification from Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, Cllr Coughlan said that he was ‘relieved’ there were no plans to close the treatment centre in Macroom, which is located in the Primary Care Health Centre in the Fair Green, adjacent to Dunnes Stores.

In a letter sent in September to the Council seen by The Echo, a local doctor, who is part of the SouthDoc roster operating out of Macroom, said he wished to address speculation about the future of the service in the town.

“I have confirmed with the Board of SouthDoc that the service is not due to finish at the Macroom base at Fairgreen Plaza at the end of this month.

“GPs from Macroom, Ballyvourney and Coachford are rostered to be in Macroom for October and November and this roster will be fulfilled.

“As is typical, we have not received our roster beyond this period.”