THE Sinn Féin TD for Kerry has called for an urgent plan to address the lack of GPs across Kerry.

Deputy Pa Daly said GPs are telling him the county is facing a crisis in in GP and community care due to the large number of GPs leaving practice due to retirements and exiting the country due to working conditions.

“I am hearing that HSE bureaucracy is increasingly difficult to navigate when referring patients and that waiting lists are making life unbearable for patients,” said Deputy Daly.

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“We know that the GMS contract is not fit for purpose and there is no real attempt by government to address the deficiencies.  This is leading to large numbers to advance their careers elsewhere and leaving Ireland with huge gaps in care.”

“Ballyduff has been without a GP for many months now.  One was promised early in the New Year but this has not yet transpired.  People are expected to go into Tralee for urgent care or try to secure an appointment with SouthDoc.  This places increased pressure on SouthDoc which in turn places increased pressure on our Emergency Department in UHK.

“Patients in South Kerry are facing similar challenges with many being told there is no overnight GP in Cahersiveen during the week.  Patients must instead travel to Killarney or Kenmare,” he continued.

“We can add to this a waiting list of Consultants for oncology and paediatric care which is causing patients, including young children with very difficult and debilitating diagnoses, to travel outside the county for services that should be available closer to home.”

“The solution is straightforward:  it is not good enough for the HSE to say they cannot attract GPs and this is why we have shortages.  We know the reasons why, and the HSE has the power to fix that if it has the will to do so,” he concluded.