Fears for the future of GP cover at a surgery in Crossmaglen have been voiced with confirmation an existing contract will cease next week.
Meanwhile, health officials have come under fire and accused of “lack of planning” around services at Rathkeelan House GP Surgery.
Now the Department of Health is being urged to “take urgent action” in a bid to find a resolution and bring about stability for thousands of patients.
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan said the current GP contract at Rathkeelan House is due to end next Friday with no replacement service confirmed.
She said: “In March, I wrote to the Health Minister to raise serious concerns about the future of Rathkeelan House GP Surgery and to ask what contingency plans would be in place if the current GP contract came to an end.
“Disappointingly, no clear assurances were provided at that time, and now, just a week away from the contract’s end, we are still without answers.
“We understand that from Monday, September 1 no GP will be in place, and no future appointments are being scheduled. Despite having had six months to prepare, no plan has been communicated to staff or patients.
“This situation is causing huge uncertainty and distress in the local community. People are understandably anxious, patients don’t know how their care will continue, and staff are left in limbo with no clarity on their future.
“I’m calling on the Health Minister to provide clarity. The patients of Rathkeelan House GP Surgery need to know what’s being done to keep GP care in place for patients and what guarantees can be given to the dedicated staff working at the surgery.
“The lack of communication and planning is entirely unacceptable and I will continue to press the minister to ensure our community has access to local GP services.”
The situation arose when the surgery, run by siblings Drs Brid and Kevin Allen, announced in March that they had handed back their GP contract to the SPPG (Health Board).
The surgery has been operating in the area since 2016 and was, in 2024, employing 18 staff members.
In a statement, the Allens said: “It is with regret that we have to inform you, our patients, that we have handed back our GP contract to the Health Board.
“We understand this may cause concern, but we are committed to ensuring a smooth transition for all our patients. We will share more information as soon as we have it and will do everything possible to support you during this time.
“Due to the well-publicised lack of funding in the GP sector and increasing costs, we have struggled over the past few years, and we now have to accept that our practice is no longer sustainable in its current state.
“We will remain as GPs for the next six months, and in this time, the SPPG will implement a process for the future of the surgery and provision of General Medical Services to the Crossmaglen community.
“We will be actively engaging in this process to help facilitate a smooth transition to the arrangement, which will ultimately be the decision of the SPPG. At this time, we would like to reassure patients that GP services will continue for the next six months, and you need not take any action regarding your registration at the practice.
“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve the people of Crossmaglen, and we have valued your support and friendship over the years. Lastly, we would like to extend our thanks to our loyal staff, who have supported us from our arrival at the surgery a decade ago.”
