Trust advertises for new GP at large Co Armagh surgery

Portadown Health Centre’s Bannview Practice has been without a full time GP for some months.

It provides for almost 5,000 patients in the area.

Recently there had been criticism from some patients about the lack of GPs or the lack of continuity of care.

Concern also arose that GPs from as far away as Cookstown were travelling to Portadown to deliver services.

SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly had raised the matter last November and called on the Trust to employ more GPs.

She said: “Constituents are ‘worried, angry and feel let down’ after being unable to access GP services for months.”

The Trust, which manages the practice, posted the job of General Practitioner Clinical Lead on social media.

It describes the post as permenant with a deadline of January 29 this year to apply.

The Trust said: “This post provides an exciting opportunity to be part of new and innovative ways of delivering a new model of primary care.

In November a spokesperson for HSCB said: “There are seven GP Practices in Portadown Health Centre, and at present, locum GPs are providing cover in Bannview Practice, as they do in many Practices. GPs, as independent contractors, are free to work in any practice, in any part of NI, on a locum basis.”

“In the face of unprecedented COVID-19 related pressures, GPs are continuing to support and care for patients across Northern Ireland.

“There is an overall shortage of GPs across NI and intermittently areas of Northern Ireland will experience a shortage of GP’s. This is more prevalent now with some GP’s having to self-isolate, as a result of contracting coronavirus, or being a close contact of someone who has contracted the virus.

“The HSCB is working with all GP Practices in order to ensure that during these difficult times, GP services continue to be provided to all patients.”

The Board was unable to reveal how many full time GPs work at the centre and how many were required to manage the number of patients enlisted.

If you would like to apply check out this link https://jobs.hscni.net/.../73830006-general-practitioner..

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