By Joe Barrett
Within hours of an on-line petition being set up calling for the retention of the MIDOC out of hours GP service in the Midlands over 1,600 people have so far signed it.
The campaign is being organised through Change.org and is entitled Keep Our Midoc Service Open.
The petition reads: “Our VITAL out of hours GP service in the Midlands is to shut indefinitely from New Year’s Day.
“The Midlands GP service MIDOC, which had been running for 20 years, and covers the counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath with a combined population of almost 300,000, has come under financial strain.
“Established in 2002, MIDOC was formed by a group of local GPs. The service has been providing attention for patients with urgent medical needs and whose family doctor is part of the MIDOC Co-Op.
“This is service needs to remain open for all.”
Several people have also commented on the petition that include:
- “Concern for my family”
- “It’s a needed service to stop over crowed A and E departments”
- “Our health service is stretched to its capacity as it is, without this service there will be lives lost”
- “I think it is a very necessary service to the very large population of Portlaoise and surrounding areas. The General Hospital is under tremendous pressure as it is disgraceful even to be contemplating such a move.”
- “GP and A&E services are to the pin of their collar already. Not having MIDOC will only add to the misery of sick people waiting in queues.”
The petition can be viewed by logging on here.
