Sir, – This GP read with interest Shauna Bowers and Rachel Lavin’s detailed article regarding GP shortages (“GP shortages: Where are the most acute problems across the country?” July 25th).
It is noteworthy that if a vacant GP list has not been filled, the HSE has to put locum cover in place for the practice.
Conversely, once the GP vacancy has been filled, it remains incumbent on the GP to source and fund GP locum cover.
Notwithstanding all the gains in recent years, if locum GP cover is not robustly addressed, one has to wonder how it will be possible to meet the continually increasing need for GP services – Yours, etc,
RM Block
Dr CATHERINE O’DONOHOE,
Health Centre,
Adamstown,
Enniscorthy,
Co Wexford.
