'Fight the cuts'

Yesterday even more businesses and places of work received petition sheets so that members of the public could add their names in the fight to retain the red-eye service within the borough. Last week approximately 30 businesses in the town added their support to the campaign being fronted by East Londonderry MLA George Robinson.

In March the Sentinel revealed Western Urgent Care Trust plans to slash the Roe Doc's red-eye period by July 1. Under the new arrangements, from midnight until 8.30am people in Limavady and Strabane would be covered by doctors in Londonderry, meaning there would be no base for out-of hours GP care in the borough. Alderman Robinson last week launched the petition outside the council offices and is now urging the public to add their names to the petition as quickly as possible.

Deputy Mayor, Mr Robinson said: "My determination to fight the cuts is unshakeable. The outcome of my endeavours is unknown, but as a local elected representative this is exactly the type of issue I am elected to deal with. I urge everyone in the Limavady area to sign the petition as none of us know when we may need this lifesaving service."

"A reduction in Doctors operating the service from 5 to 3 is a 40% cut in man hours and undermines the viability of the entire service. This is a service for everyone, and a life saving service, therefore none of us can afford to see it reduced in any shape or form," added Alderman Robinson. The "life saving" petition is also available to sign in the DUP's Limavady office on Catherine Street.

It reads: "We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the decision is overturned to reduce the staffing levels, and therefore the operational efficiency, of the Out Of Hours GP Service in the interest of patient safety and to ensure the best possible patient recovery outcomes"

Doctor Joe Devlin, a GP who regularly covers the Western Urgent Care's Limavady base also recently added his support to stop the service from being cut. In a letter sent to the Health Minister Dr Devlin warned patients could die if out-of-hours GP services in the North West were reduced this summer.

Alderman Robinson commented: "I would also like to say a special thanks to Dr Devlin who has shown great courage and determination in speaking openly to the press to ensure the full impact of the planned reductions are known. His genuine concern for the people under the care of RoeDoc service must be acknowledged and appreciated.

"If anyone would like a copy of the petition please call at the office and the staff will be more than happy to supply you with one."

Western Trust chiefs say they will meet with the Deputy Mayor to discuss the cuts to the Roe Doc Urgent Care service.