The HSE is still seeking to recruit a GP for Achill, after first advertising the position three years ago.
In a written response to a query from Councillor Michael Kilcoyne at the meeting of Health Forum West in Galway last week, the new Chief Officer of Community Healthcare West, J Fitzmaurice, stated: "Two GP positions are currently vacant in Mayo. One of those positions is in Achill which has been vacant since July 2020, while the second is in in Charlestown which has been vacant since January 2022. Both have been advertised on a number of occasions without success. However the positions are filled by GPs employed through a Locum Agency, so there has been no disruption in services to the patients."
In regard to the percentage of GP positions in Mayo filled by people not on the specialist GP register, Mr Fitzmaurice replied: "It became a requirement in 2012 that GPs joining the GMS Scheme had to be on the Specialist Register, all GPs who joined the GMS Scheme in Mayo since 2012 have satisfied this requirement. Prior to this date, GPs were not required to be on this register when they became GMS Contract holders. In Mayo, 16% of GPs joined the scheme prior to 2012 and as result are not on the Specialist Register in the specialty of General Practice with the Irish Medical Council."
