Drumcliffe GPs housed in building ‘not fit for purpose’
GPS in Drumcliffe are being housed in a completely unsuitable building which is ‘not fit for purpose’, according to Councillor Sinead Maguire.
“Patients wait in their cars to see a doctor as the building is so cold and it is without wheelchair access”, Cllr. Maguire claimed.
Cllr. Maguire wants Sligo County Council to actively lobby the HSE to fulfil its promise to upgrade the medical health centre at Drumcliffe to a Primary Care centre.
There is currently only one small group GP practice located in North County Sligo, located in Drumcliffe, which is providing care to a large rural population with multiple medical needs.
The HSE has granted planning permission for such a primary health centre behind the current Drumcliffe medical centre.
She said: “We need to make this a reality for the people of North Sligo. Without a Primary Care centre, north County Sligo is very poorly served.
“Primary Care Centres are an integral part of the national strategy on providing excellent health care in the community.
“We have seen the benefits such centres have brought to other parts of County Sligo and the country as a whole.
“This multi-disciplinary approach to providing healthcare out of a central location is best for patients, and best for communities.
“It means that patients can most often receive the care they need without entering the hospital system.
She added: “Having a Primary Care Centre would facilitate onsite public health nursing.
“Elderly patients would not have to travel to Sligo town for certain services.
“Mothers and new babies would be able have their check-ups on site, also avoiding having to travel to Sligo town.
“A range of services could be provided locally from the centre including onsite physiotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and diabetes clinics.
The people of North Sligo deserve no less.”