'Ad hoc...not cheap...inconsistent' out-of-hours GP care in Laois and elsewhere Taoiseach admits to Laois TD

The out-of-hours GP service in Laois and other Midlands counties is part of an example of an expensive, inconsistent, and ad hoc system such care is delivered around Ireland, according to the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

That's the view he expressed in the Dáil when asked about the Midoc service which is in limbo after a private company responsible for delivering doctors pulled the plug at Christmas.

The Fine Gael Taoiseach, who is a doctor, also said change is needed not just in the Midlands but nationally that works for rural and urban areas. He was responding to points raised by Laois Offaly TD Brian Stanley.

Dep Stanley outlined the situation to Mr Varadkar in recent days in relation to Midoc which the Leinster Express Laois Live revealed costs the HSE up to 8 million to run in 2022.

“On Christmas Eve, Midoc, a private company which provides out-of-hours GP services in the Midlands, ceased trading. The company was paid nearly €8 million last year. HSE management has had to rush in and put a temporary service in place. I give them credit for that, but it was a day-to-day service in place until 15 January. Since then, they have been trying to tie up a contract with an agency for a temporary solution but that is still not in place. The public and the HSE had the rug pulled from under them by this company in terms of out-of-hours GP services in the Midlands,’’ he said.

The Laois Offaly TD also highlighted the variety of ways urgent GP care is delivered when surgeries are shut.

“I have found out that there are six different models of providing out-of-hours GP services across the State. This is no way to provide emergency health services. It is at the whim of private companies which can provide the services or pull the rug," he said.

Dep Stanley asked if the Taoiseach wound ensure the Minister for Health deals with out-of-hours GP services in the Midlands and gives some certainty to how it would be delivered. 

In reply, the Taoiseach’s said he contact Minister Donnelly regarding to Midoc and out-of-hours services in the Midlands. He made clear that he was not satisfied the situation in the Midlands or elsewhere.

"Out-of-hours GP services, which are really important, have evolved on an ad hoc basis. Back in the day when my dad was a GP, GPs did their own calls and were out every night. Nobody would expect anyone to do that anymore. When I was a GP, the co-ops started being set up but it is ad hoc. Sometimes they are run by GPs, sometimes by the HSE, and sometimes by private companies. That means an inconsistent type and level of service across the country, and it is not cheap either. We need to look at it in the round and come up with a model of care that works for urban Ireland, as well as for rural Ireland where the needs are different," he said.

'Enormous anxiety' over Midoc, says Laois Offaly TD

The HSE confirmed to the Leinster Express Laois Live that upwards of 8 million is being spent on out-of-hours care in Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath. Figures show that 40% of this goes to the provision of doctors.

The HSE says the service will continue to be available to patients regardless of the fact that Midoc GP CLG, which provided GPs, has ceased trading.