North Antrim MLA Robin Swann and Cllr Keith Turner have met with Peter May Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health, and Dr Margaret O'Brien, the top Northern Ireland official responsible for General Practice, to get an update on GP provision in the Ballymena area.
In a statement following the meeting which the Ulster Unionist Party labelled as ‘reassuring and constructive’ it said:
“Recent weeks witnessed a great deal of anxiety regarding the provision of GP services in Ballymena.
"News in November that two practices could have perhaps shortly been facing closure, affecting over 7,000 patients in total, understandably generated concern among the community. It also led to real fears being raised among clinicians in other neighbouring GP practices.
"Thankfully the news before Christmas that a contractor had subsequently been found for the Ballymena Family practice came as a huge relief, as well as a reassuring development that that there had also been a competent expression of interest in taking over Bernaghmore Medical Practice.
“These two developments are a hugely positive step in stabilising primary care in the Ballymena Health Centre.
“The UUP requested a meeting with senior health officials however to ensure that the Department of Health was still giving the issue the full attention and priority that it deserves.
"After an informative and wide-ranging discussion, we were left reassured with the level of focus and oversight on the issue. It was clearly recognised by all those present that it really was in the best interests of everyone in the wider Ballymena area for new contract holders to be found, not least to avoid the really challenging scenario of patients being dispersed across neighbouring GP lists.
"Had patients been moved it could have potentially prompted a domino effect on some of the neighbouring practices as lists became too big and staff simply stretched beyond capacity.
“During our meeting we also acknowledged that the progress made over recent weeks is especially thanks to the work of local providers, as well as the Department of Health officials.
"We relayed to the Department however that the issue still requires close monitoring and immediate support must still be offered whenever necessary.
“While there is still work to be done in stabilising and supporting general practice, there does need to be a degree of creativity in how solutions can continue to be found.”
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