The HSE has not given any clear commitment on the future of a health centre in Leitrim.
Fianna Fail Senator and Mayo GP Keith Swannick raised concerns about the Kinlough Primary Health Centre in the Seanad this morning.
He says GP cover in the area is inadequate and on three days a week people have to avail of cover from Bundoran and Ballyshannon.
He says Kinlough has a growing population being the third largest town in Leitrim and better health cover is needed for people in the area.
He’s calling for the centre to be returned and run under the Leitrim primary care area and not the Donegal service:
However, responding to him on behalf of the Health Minister, the Minister of State for Older People Helen McEntee confirmed that there is an issue with the lease on the current centre which is being rented by the HSE.
While she reassured people that services are still being provided from there, she could not give any committment on the future of the services being provided from that building.
She reiterated that primary care is the focus of the government and that a special oireachtas committee has been set up to examine the best way of developing that.
She said this committee would be best placed to consider any changes to where the Kinlough centre should be led from:
