Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring this week warmly welcomed the decision that funding for Westdoc in the Achill and Erris Area will be continued in 2014 from the Onerous Rota Fund to Achill and Erris GPs.
Minister Ring said: “This funding is provided to Achill and Erris because of their rural location and it is not feasible for those GPs to engage in the normal Westdoc rota. If this funding had been withdrawn, as had been proposed by the HSE, the workload would increase significantly for GPs in this area.”
The out-of- hours arrangement provides a service for more than 6,000 patients, including cover to the offshore islands of Clare Island and Inishbiggle. Minister Ring stated: “I made numerous representations to the HSE, both nationally and regionally, and I am very pleased to say that I have been informed that the funding for 2014 will not be withdrawn.”
