Mayor Sandra Duffy outside Racecourse Medical Practice
Racecourse and Bridge Street Medical Practices recently handed back contracts to deliver services, sparking fears patients would not get to see a GP and the surgeries would close.
But at a special meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council on Monday, officials from the Department of Health assured elected members that every effort was being made to secure new contracts.
After the meeting, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Sandra Duffy said: “We had a very constructive special meeting of Full Council today to discuss the urgent situation at Racecourse Medical.
“I welcome assurances from the Department for Health that no patient will be left without a GP and all staff will migrate to the new provider when appointed.”
During the meeting, Pat Brolly of the Strategic Planning and Performance Group told councillors: “I cannot give a 100 per cent guarantee we will have two new contractors for those practices.
“We are making every effort to ensure we will.
“What I can give you a 100 per cent guarantee is that all patients will have access to general medical services.”
SDLP Ballyarnett councillor Rory Farrell said patients and staff were dealing with a “massive degree of uncertainty”.
“If Bridge Street closes thousands of patients will need to be redistributed elsewhere. If Racecourse closes the same is going to happen.
“Everybody needs certainty, needs clarity, regarding this,” he added.
Bridge Street GP practice in Derry
The practice’s contract is due to end on Wednesday, May 31.
A recruitment process for a new contractor is also ongoing for Bridge Street where services will end on Monday, July 31.
Councillors heard that the situation with GP services in Derry is being replicated across the North of Ireland.
Issues include difficulties in attracting new doctors, an ageing population, increasing demand and rising costs.
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