'Distress and anxiety' in Laois at MIDOC 's future

Portlaoise councillors want ministerial intervention to secure the future of GP out-of-hours care in Laois.

Midoc GP CLG, a company run and owned by GPs as part of the doctor on call service, ceased trading on December 31. Since the the HSE has been fully running the service.

Their service was run in conjunction with the HSE, who run and fund the rest of Midoc services in Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath, including the call centre, maintenance of Midoc cars and payment of most drivers.

The HSE say that it is working on a sustainable solution but public representatives say the Minister for Health Minister Stephen Donnelly must get involved and answers required from the HSE.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley tabled a motion to write to the Minister to ensure the service s are put on a secure footing, at their January meeting.

“This service was provided by a private company and over Christmas they told the HSE they were closing up, they gave notice of one week to close on New Year's Eve.

“It caused great distress and anxiety. Several people contacted me asking what would they do without an out of hours service.

“We all saw how the hospital was inundated with pepole on trolleys. If MIDOC isn't there more people will go to hospital instead of a GP. GPs and hospital staff are completely overworked. I know people who ended up in hospital over Christmas and they said the condition the staff were working in was absolutely horrendous. We need a secure footing on the GP service or it will put more burden on the hospital,” she said.

Cllr Willie Aird seconded her motion, and suggests also asking the HSE for an update.

“I can't see how we can work without it. MIDOC was brought in because of the pressure on hospitals, and that hasn't changed, if anything the numbers are higher.

“I was flabberghasted. I didn't know it wsa a contract, I thought it was under the umbrella of the HSE, that's what came across to me when it was introduced.

“They made great strides, with cars with MIDOC going out to houses, it was really appreciated by the community. I know they had difficulty with staffing,” he said.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said “we were all alarmed and shocked”.

“Maybe naive, we didn't realised it was not run by the HSE. It was one ofthe best services ever introduced, especially for children who got sick at night or weekends. Now people are insecure. It's an excellent service, we can't let this go,” she said.

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The Cathaoirleach of Portlaoise Municipal District is Barry Walsh.

"Speaking from experience, it is of huge importance to young families. I've been in there at 3am in the morning often. The short notice is unacceptable. I was really surprised. It was unprofessional in my view. There is already pressure on hospitals and this is adding to it," Cllr Walsh said.

"Beyond February we need to know that MIDOC will be there. Hospitals are absolutely crazy, all credit to the staff. You could be waiting a couple of weeks to see your GP, they are absolutely out the door," Cllr Dwane Stanley added.

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Cllr Thomasina Connell said that she is a member of the Dublin Midlands Region Health Forum.

"The HSE will have to put this out to tender to run it in conjunction with local GPs. There was enormous anxiety in Portlaoise and the wider community. I have a motion for next month to the HSE and I want a full explanation for the short notice," she said.

The role of the former Midoc GP CLG was to provide doctors and organise rotas, as part of the overall out of hours service. 

The HSE has now reached a temporary agreement with the GPs to pay them directly, as well as retaining the services of a locum supplying agency.