As efforts continue to restore the GP clinic in Churchill, the HSE says that poor connectivity in the village is affecting health services.
The Churchill Health Centre has not had any GP service for the past 18 months. Local residents have had to travel to Letterkenny for appointments or receive home visits.
Cllr Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly, the Mayor of Letterkenny-Milford, called on Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to restore the service to Churchill for the benefit of the community.
Cllr Kelly received a response from the HSE this week, via Fianna Fáil Senator Robbie Gallagher, saying that work is ongoing to recommence the GP service in Churchill “as soon as possible”.
“The GPs have identified poor connectivity in the Churchill area, as part of the reason why they haven’t recommenced a GP Clinic there,” the HSE said.
They added that: “Ark Medical Centre have advised that the GP Service is not closed. The GPs are still providing home visits in the area, as well as seeing patients from Churchill in their Practice in Letterkenny.”
Cllr Kelly welcomed the commitment to have a GP service back in Churchill but said he feels the work is not happening quickly enough.
Cllr Kelly wrote to the HSE saying: As far as I am aware there has been little to no house visits over the last 18 to 20 months.
“There is also a major issue regarding these good people in the Churchill and surrounding areas securing appointments through the Arc Medical Centre as their calls are not being answered. This for me is not good enough. I’m requesting that this also be looked into and this matter be addressed as a matter of urgency.”
Cllr Kelly added that he was grateful that work is ongoing, and requested that “everything be done to move this forward as quickly as possible for all residents in Churchill and surrounding areas as they need this vital service”.
