Closure of Tipp GP practice raised in the Dail

Tipperary TDs Michael Lowry and Jackie Cahill voiced their concerns over the closure of the GP practice in the Dail on Wednesday evening.

Deputy Lowry said: "A thriving town centre GP practice in Templemore is closing as the HSE have failed to appoint a replacement for the retiring doctor."

Addressing the Minister of State in the Department of Health, Mary Butler, he said that the proposed closure of this practice, which consists of 800 patients, is causing distress, fear and inconvenience.

Minister Butler reiterated the statement from the HSE, saying that they have been unable to recruit a GP to take over the single Doctor practice, despite running two advertising campaigns in March and June of this year across Ireland and the UK.

She agreed to discuss a proposal made to extend the closure of the practice by six months to allow further time to secure a replacement doctor with the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly.

"The closure of this practice would breach a long-established relationship between the GP practice, patients and their families. The people of Templemore are angry and feel let down by the HSE," added Deputy Lowry.

Deputy Lowry outlined that in Templemore, medical card patients are being transferred to the only other GP practice in the town. "This practice has successfully engaged an additional GP to help with increasing patient numbers. Private patients have been left to source their own future medical care."