The HSE has told local TD Imelda Munster that although work on fitting out the proposed East Meath Primary Care Centre in Bettystown is to start in the first quarter of 2022, it is not expected to be completed until the fourth quarter.
The information came as part of a response to questions the Sinn Féin TD had asked in the Dáil but the HSE did not clarify, as requested, whether the Centre would offer services in addition to those already available in East Meath, or whether existing services will merely be moved there.
“It merely stipulated that two GP practices would be accommodated in the new unit” Deputy Munster said.
“We have a serious shortage of GPs in East Meath. Tens of thousands of people have moved to the area in the past decade, yet the infrastructure hasn’t been improved to accommodate them.
“Every week in my constituency clinic I hear from constituents who are in the farcical and unacceptable situation of having to travel to Dublin or further afield to receive GP care as there are no places available in local practices.
“I am going to chase this matter up with the HSE as it’s a vital point – if the Primary Care Centre doesn’t increase the number of GPs working in the area, what purpose does it really serve?
“The other issue here is the length of time it will take to become operational. The unit is already there, but it has to be kitted out as a doctor’s surgery. I don’t quite understand how that will take the best part of a year to achieve, especially given the lengthy delays to date with the project.
“I’m going to put these questions to the HSE again, and I expect that this time around I will get full answers to the questions put.
“Having to travel outside of your town, and outside of your county or province even for basic medical care is a scandal.
“We need the Primary Care Centre as soon as possible, and we need it be sure that it will provide additional GP capacity in the East Meath area.”
