The HSE has confirmed it has cut receptionist services at the Carndonagh NowDoc services and there are fears other will follow.
The receptionist cover is now being provided by the driver in the centre, who now performs a dual role, by assisting the GP and carrying out receptionist duties as required.
It is understood that other NowDoc services including Derrybeg and Mountcharles will implement the same system in the coming weeks and all these centres will be by appointment only.
Inishowen councillor Ciaran McLaughlin said the move is simply not acceptable.
The Sinn Fein councillor said “Appointments only will not work as people will, in panic, call to NowDoc and if no one is there, it will be very worrying.
“Ideally the doctor or NowDoc should be referring the patient but we could see more patients go directly to accident and emergency in Letterkenny,” he said.
He concluded by saying that this is yet another cutback by the HSE.
“In all honesty,this is a cut back, as we have seen with the gardai, hospitals, schools and in all public services and it is not acceptable.
“I will be working with my sinn fein colleagues in Inishowen and will be asking Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn to make representation to the HSE and the Health Minister.
“Years ago people didn’t want now doc and now they are getting used to it. What would happen if a woman with a very sick child called now doc at 2 a.m and the doctor was on call ?
“Has the HSE got plans in place for this scenario? We will be keeping a close eye on this,” he added.
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