Row develops over 32 communities without a GP

Any political party which gains power in the next general election must ensure its policies undergo strict social and economic tests to examine what impact they will have on rural areas left “devastated” by the recession.

A leading rural group said that the safety net measure is needed after a fresh row broke out yesterday over the fact that 32 rural communities have no GP to look after their needs because of ongoing frontline health service gaps.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner after the situation was revealed by the National Association of General Practitioners, Irish Rural Link spokesperson James Claffey said that the GP clinic gaps are one of a number of issues hitting rural communities including the closure of banks, post offices, schools and bus links.