GP service goes out to tender
The tender process for the north Wicklow out of hours
GP service is now open, Minister for Health Simon Harris has confirmed.
The process will select a service provider who will run the operation.
‘I am really pleased to confirm that HSE has now opened the tender process for the Out of Hours Service. This is a critical stage and, once it is complete, a contract will be awarded and the service will begin operating,’ said Minister Harris.
He said that the HSE engaged with local GPs to ensure the correct service is being developed.
‘It is vital that we get this service open as soon as possible and so I was pleased that the HSE engaged with local GPs to ensure the correct service is being developed.
‘Our dedicated local GPs work really hard to deliver the best possible service for our community and the addition of a fully supported Out of Hours Service will be a fantastic addition for North Wicklow,’ said the Minister.
Funding for the service was announced earlier in the year. This followed an announcement in 2016 that the service would be set up, which did not emerge at that time due to absence of funding.
The funding is included in the 2018 National Service Plan and to be based at Loughlinstown hospital.
The service is intended to cover night time hours from Monday to Friday and 24-hour cover at weekends and public holidays. The service will include initial triage and GP consultation at centres or home visits as appropriate, in accordance with HIQA standards for Safer Better Healthcare. It is expected that approximately 9,000 patients per month will avail of the service.