Search for Milltown GP to continue until March 2020 – HSE

THE HSE has extended the provision of a locum GP to Milltown until March 2020 to allow the search for a permanent GP for the area to continue.

The extension comes following the news that talks between a potential GP for Milltown broke down in recent weeks. Currently there is no interested party, but the HSE has confirmed that they will continue to seek a solution to the crisis.

In a letter, Head of Primary Care with the HSE, Teresa O’Donovan, said that she wanted assure the public and patients that the HSE is continuing to seek a GP for Milltown but that it is proving difficult.

“I’m sure you appreciate it is difficult given the current size of the list, the stand-alone nature of practice and the available vacant posts across the country from which GPs can choose,” the letter stated.

Following outrage last month at the closure of the practise after the HSE stated they could not find a GP, the HSE agreed to extend the search until mid-January. They have now further extended the search until March 2020 in the hope that a GP will be found for Milltown. The GP post will be re-advertised in January 2020.

In late November up to 200 people attended a public meeting to discuss the crisis and fight for a GP for the area. Letters were sent to patients of the clinic stating that it would close on December 13. There are around 350 public patients at the clinic. The closure will now be mid-March if a GP is not found.