Racecourse Medical closure could spark city-wide crisis in GP access

Derry is at risk of a "city-wide crisis in GP access" if the Department of Health fails to put a plan in place to the at-risk Racecourse Medical practice in Shantallow Health Centre, according to Derry City and Strabane District councillor, Emmet Doyle (Aontú).

Speaking in advance of Monday's 1pm rally at the Health Centre, the Ballyarnett councillor said: "The retirement of a partner at the practice has prompted Racecourse Medicals other medical leaders to hand their GMS contract back to the Department of Health, who must now either find another GP to add to the team, or have another practice take over Racecourse’s list.

How did the Department not see this coming? Surely they would have known a retirement was on the cards given the age of medical professionals.

At the last count, the practice had a patient list of 4,821 - and whilst services will continue in Shantallow for six months, if the Department don’t put every resource into addressing this problem, there could be a city wide crisis in GP accessibility because where will those thousands of people access GP care when many of our other practice are already stretched?

Additional Reading

Save Racecourse Medical day of action

Online petition established to protect 'frontline GP services for the Greater Shantallow area

Defend Racecourse Medical Practice rally at Shantallow Health Centre

Services offered to community by Racecourse medical 'absolutely essential'

The Department of Health know all of this. GP leaders have been saying this could happen publicly for a long period. Officials now need to develop a plan that will ensure a stable and secure GP practice at Racecourse Medical and I’ve already written to the relevant senior officials asking for this to be made their top priority”