A group that represents GP practices in Mid Ulster has said it won’t accept patients from a Magherafelt surgery that is closing.
Fairhill Medical Centre in south Derry, which has 2,334 patients registered, will close its doors on October 31 after no new GP could be found to fill a vacancy.
The Department of Health had said “patients will be allocated to one of 13 nearby GP surgeries in the Magherafelt and Mid-Ulster areas to ensure that patients continue to have access to a GP”.
But last night the Mid Ulster GP Federation, which represents was local practices, said it “will not accept patients being dispersed from the recently closed Fairhill Surgery”.
“This decision follows extensive discussions regarding the safety and sustainability of patient care in the area,” it said in a statement.
“The Federation has expressed significant concerns about the proposal to disperse Fairhill Surgery’s 2,300 patients into already overstretched local practices with only three weeks’ notice.
“Despite Fairhill Surgery handing back its contract over two months ago, local practices were not informed until just three weeks before the planned dispersal.”
The group said it had proposed a merger, aimed at preventing such a scenario, but this had not been supported.
“We believe that the sudden influx of patients, without sufficient resources or planning, would not only compromise the care of new patients but would also put our existing patients at risk. Patient safety is our highest priority, and under the current circumstances, we simply cannot accept this dispersal,” the group said.
Previous Fairhill GP Dr Richard Hunter informed the Department of his intention to resign from the position several months ago.
Dr Frances O’Hagan, chair of the British Medical Association’s Northern Ireland GP Committee, said: “The news that another practice in Northern Ireland is handing its contract back is no surprise.
“The pressure GPs are under is unrelenting, meaning there is no will for those nearing retirement to stay on a bit longer, and there is no appetite for younger GPs to take on a practice with all of the problems associated with trying to run a financially stable business.
“Reallocating patients, without consultation, across other practices in the area is also very risky as many of these practices are already under pressure with huge patient lists.
“Patients have been given no choice as to what practice they would like to be allocated to, and there are many outstanding issues in terms of transferring medical records across different practices and IT systems in a very short timeframe.
“GPs are facing a complete log-jam in terms of moving people into secondary care to get timely treatment that so they do not have to keep coming back to see their GP.
“I would not be surprised if, for some of those practices who have been given no option but to take on more patients, this will also be the final straw in terms of deciding if they can stay open.
“We need to see some action from the Department of Health quickly to help stabilise general practice including a proper long term solution to the indemnity issue and a commitment to increasing funding for general practice right across Northern Ireland.”
The Department of Health said that since the contractor at Fairhill submitted notice to the Department on July 31 of their intention to terminate their contract, “the Department has worked extensively to identify a new GP contractor to take over the practice”.
“As of today, October 15, unfortunately, despite the best efforts of all parties involved, a new GP contractor has not been secured and it is anticipated Fairhill Health Centre will close on October, 31 2024,” they said.
“Having exhausted all other options, we have concluded that allocation to neighbouring practices is the only feasible option to ensure continuity of GP services for patients.
“There are currently 2,334 patients registered at Fairhill Health Centre. Patients will be allocated to one of 13 nearby GP surgeries in the Magherafelt and Mid-Ulster areas to ensure that patients continue to have access to a GP which is a priority for the Department,” the Department continued.
“Patients of the practice should continue to access services at Fairhill as normal.”
It’s understood all affected patients will now receive letters over the next week informing them of the new arrangements which will begin on November 1.
“The Department acknowledges that this is not the preferred outcome for many patients and would like to reassure them that all options were considered in trying to sustain a GP surgery in Magherafelt town centre,” it continued.
“Throughout this process, we have considered the continuation of care of the registered patients and have recommended the best approach to limit the impact on their ongoing needs for access to GP services.
“General Practice plays a crucial role in our health and social care system and stabilisation of GP practices remains a key priority. The Department continues to support General Practice with the aim of ensuring people can access high-quality, sustainable services now and in the future.
“The Department will continue to work with GP representatives to support the continued sustainability of General Practice and the GP workforce.”
The British Medical Association, which represents GPs, has previously warned that dozens of practices in Northern Ireland are at risk of closure.
Mid-Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone said it was now essential that all affected patients are made aware of new arrangements as quickly as possible.
“People need to know that their access to GPs will not be affected, that any ongoing treatment will continue uninterrupted, and that clinics will still be available,” the SDLP MLA said.
“In particular, I have asked the Health Minister what measures are being taken to ensure the safety and care of patients from Fairhill Health Centre following its closure.
“Despite the Rural Needs Act and other legislation, there appears to be little real protection for rural services. We have seen cut after cut, particularly to health services, in rural areas for years.
“The Minister needs to ensure that any solution he implements does not further destabilise the remaining GP practices or compromise the overall stability of primary care services in the region.”
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin called on the Department of Health to ensure patients from Fairhill Health Centre in Magherafelt have access to a GP.
“With Fairhill Health Centre set to close in two weeks’ time, it is now incumbent on the Department of Health to work alongside patients and GPs to ensure local people can continue to access vital health services,” she said.
“This must include supporting GPs to care for additional patients, ensuring already-stretched practices are not placed under additional strain.
“General practice is a vital pillar of community health care and we all must work together to guarantee key services can continue to be delivered to local people in Magherafelt and beyond.”
News Catch Up – Tuesday 15 October