Medical centre’s future uncertain as three GPs to relocate

The future of a Kerry medical centre is uncertain as three GP practices have begun the process of relocating, following a ruling by An Bord Pleanála.

The planning appeals board refused to endorse the use, for medical purposes, of the second floor of the Prime Medical Centre in the Reeks Gateway development in Killarney.

The first floor, where more GPs are located, was unaffected by the decision.

It has emerged that Dr Gary Stack, Dr Donal Kavanagh, and Dr John Geaney must cease practising on the second floor and are making arrangements to vacate the centre, located at the Tralee Rd roundabout.

If they do not move out, they could face an eviction order by Killarney Town Council.

In 2011, the council granted planning permission for a change of use of the building, which was originally constructed for office and commercial use.

However, that decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by a number of local pharmacists.

Initiated seven years ago, the one-stop primary medical care centre in Killarney was among the first in the country, and seen as a model for others to follow.

However, there has been unrelenting opposition from several local pharmacists concerned about the loss of business in the town centre. More than 20 objections were made.

This weekend, Dr Stack said that primary patient care in the area had been set back 25 years.

“We’ve put seven years’ work into developing modern patient services in one centre which would also have X-ray facilities, outpatient services, a minor injuries unit, as well as co-ordination of physiotherapy and occupational therapy,” he said.

“The patients of Killarney can ill-afford to be without such a centre and the country can ill-afford An Bord Pleanála. This is a lost opportunity.”

The An Bord Pleanála decision was in contrast to a recommendation by its inspector who proposed the complete retention of the centre for medical purposes.

One of the two pharmacies operating at the centre closed early last month.

Dr Stack said the doctors had tried to get the town’s pharmacists involved in the project at an early stage, but that a meeting with them came to nothing.

As most of the GPs operating on the second floor prepare to move back to their former surgeries, there are doubts about the long-term future of the building as a medical centre.