‘Lives at risk’ over SouthDoc relocation

Lives are being endangered in an east Cork town due to alleged shortcomings in the local SouthDoc service, it has been claimed.

Youghal town councillor Mary Linehan-Foley said an out-of-hours SouthDoc base in the town is needed, without which “lives are being put are at risk”. And, with its ambulance service under threat, she claimed Youghal was “being forgotten by the health services”.

SouthDoc runs an appointment only facility on the grounds of Youghal’s Community Hospital. The service’s general manager, Máire Hussey, said it will “shortly” relocate to a unit a mile from the town centre.

GP Michael Twomey said SouthDoc provides two doctors across east Cork from 6pm to 11pm with one on duty from 11pm to 8am with on-call back-up.

Dr Declan O’Callaghan said Midleton, with an all-night pharmacy, offered a preferable base.

Both GPs accepted the service was “not perfect” but believed it better than a previous after hours system.