This article is from page 9 of the 2006-03-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
THE Health Service Executive (HSE) has advertised to recruit a GP for Quin, allaying fears that the area would be left without a permanent local doctor.
The HSE has decided the post is viable, even though the previous GP had only 76 medical card patients on her panel.
Last year, Dr Eileen Hassett retired from her post and the time taken by the HSE to replace her raised fears locally that she was not to be replaced.
Since Dr Hassett’s retirement, a locum doctor has provided services to the thriving village. The HSE is due to shortly hold interviews for the post. Deputy Mayor of Clare County Council and Quin-based councillor, Sonny Scanlan (FG), welcomed the move.
“It is very important that Quin holds onto its permanent doctor so I’m delighted that the HSE has advertised for the position.
“The last few months have been the first time in living memory that Quin has been left without a permanent doctor. There has been a massive increase in the population of Quin in the past 12 months and there is a definite need for a permanent doctor and a chemist, as I believe that Quin is one of the few villages in Clare without a chemist.”
Already, over the past decade, two other Clare villages, Quilty and Crusheen, have lost their GPs.
According to a HSE statement, “the GP in Quilty retired from his position on June 30, 1994. As his panel list was small, it was decided not to fill the position and the patients were given the opportunity to choose another GMS Doctor in the area. Most of the patients transferred to the doctors in Doonbeg, Kilmihil and Miltown Malbay”.
In relation to Crusheen, the HSE statement stated that “the arrangement some years back was that one of the doctors in Ennis provided medical services from a centre in Crusheen and, following his retirement, the doctor in Tulla continued with this arrangement. However, as the numbers attending were very small, the doctor, with the approval of the Health Board, discontinued the arrangement.”
Most Crusheen patients now seek treatment in Ennis and Tulla.