Midoc operational but prognosis for out-of-hours GP service not clear

THE future of the GP out of hours service better known as Midoc remains  in doubt following a statement from the HSE which says it just has an arrangement in place until January.

In its first statement since confirming on Christmas Eve that Midoc GP Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) would close due to financial challenges, the HSE said it had engaged an agency to ''provide appropriate cover until January 15, 2023.''

''As outlined in our press statement 23 December 2023, the HSE has engaged a third party agency (that has already been providing medical support to MIDOC GP CLG) to provide appropriate cover until 15 January 2023 based on normal and scheduled GP out of hours practice and rosters while the HSE confirms an alternative provider.

"This means that as of 01 January 2023, patients call the same number and attend whichever of the existing treatment centres they are directed to attend, if required. The HSE is working to ensure that the interim solution will be extended to facilitate discussions on a long term solution. The HSE will provide ongoing updates as we support the GPs and members of the public due to the untimely departure of MIDOC GP CLG,'' it said.

The HSE said Midoc Out of Hours Service is a HSE run service from HSE premises. It said MIDOC GP CLG covered Tullamore, Portlaoise, Longford and Mullingar. The HSE owns and pays for the running costs of the centres. It also pays drivers and maintains a fleet of vehicles if GPs have to go on a house call.

Under the short-term deal, it is understood that the local GPs will be paid through the agency retained by the HSE until mid-January. Previously the HSE paid Midoc GP CLG to organise rosters. It is understood that another company may have existed to assist the GPs in running the service.

No statement has been issued by Midoc GP CLG regarding the reasons for ceasing operations. GPs have not commented either as to the reasons for pulling the plug.

Laois Offaly TDs said a interim deal had been worked out between local GPs, the HSE and the Irish Medical Organisation to maintain an out-of-hours service until a longer term solution has been reached. It had been thought that this would run to February but the HSE did not confirm this.

Sticking plaster deal on Laois GP out-of-hours service but Midoc will cease trading

Laois Offaly Sinn Féin TD said the HSE should recruit doctors for the service given it is already covering the bulk of the costs.

Call on HSE to hire its own doctors to replace defunct Midoc out-of-hours service

The Midoc website has shut down. Anyone who logs gets a simple message as follows: If you have an urgent out of hours medical requirement that cannot wait to be dealt with by your usual GP please call 1800 302 702 For medical emergencies please call the ambulance services on 999 or 112

Midoc was set up in 2002 to help GPs in Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath deliver the out-of-hours service they are contracted to provide under the medical card scheme.