A local health practice in Lisnaskea has held a meeting with local representatives after concerns had been voiced about the time it took patients to get through to the centre on the phone.
Maple Healthcare in the Co Fermanagh town had been criticised for not acting on a promise to meet with councillors in the area to address the issue, but a ‘productive’ meeting was held on Thursday past with a number of local representatives in attendance.
A spokesperson for Maple Healthcare said they have ‘taken on board’ the points made to them at the meeting.
“Maple Healthcare practice recently held a productive meeting with local political representatives from all the major parties as well as independent councillors to discuss some of the local challenges facing healthcare providers,” a statement said.
“I hope everyone came out of the meeting with a better understanding of the issues facing the surgery.
“We certainly have taken on board some of the points made to us.
“We are heartened to have the support of our local political representatives as we implement some new measures to encourage GP recruitment into the area.
“Maple Healthcare would like to thank our staff for their hard work and commitment and our patients for their patience as we continue to navigate our way through the challenges brought about by this pandemic.”
Sinn Fein councillor Sheamus Greene said the meeting had been ‘enlightening’, but it was time to see action at the health centre.
“We got a better view of the struggles they are going through and we got our points across about the way patients are feeling at the minute,” Cllr Greene said.
“To any points that were raised they probably didn’t commit to it, but it wouldn’t be easy to commit to anything that evening when we were talking.
“They did say they would take a look at the issues that had been brought to them.
“They did bring an issue which is very relevant. They are operating out of a building that needs buckets and saucepans to catch rain coming through the roof.
“This new health centre has been in discussion for 17 years and is still not signed off on.
“That has led on to them struggling to get new doctors to come in to the practice.
Cllr Greene added that ‘time will tell’ whether the service at the health centre will improve in the short-term while the new facility remains unbuilt.
“Actions speak louder than words so time will tell whether there is any improvement on it.
“I have suggested this is something that we try to come back to by having a couple of meetings a year on this.”
