Speaking today after receiving a personal confirmation from the Area Manager of the HSE that the changes to the Standard Operating Procedure for NowDoc has been scrapped, Sinn Féin TD for Donegal South West, Pearse Doherty said: “The statement released by the HSE this morning was ambiguous and suggested that the changes to the Standard Operating Procedure for NowDoc had not taken place.
“After receiving the statement I spoke personally with the Area Manager of the HSE in order to receive clarification. During the conversation I received confirmation that the procedure had been in place but was now withdrawn and the normal operating procedure was in place.
“In effect this means that the Doctor on call is now in a position to attend to emergency life threatening calls along with ambulance personnel and other emergency services.
“While I am delighted that the HSE has reversed the introduction of the new procedure, which could have resulted in tragedy, I am disappointed that this change had been introduced in the first place without public knowledge or full consultation.
“It is also fortunate that a serious incident did not occur in the county during the past 48 hours when these procedures had been in place.
“I understand that discussions are ongoing with the National Ambulance Service in relation to the appropriate response procedures for emergency calls, which could result in changes to the procedures.
“ I will be monitoring this situation closely to ensure that any changes introduced will be in the best interests of the patient. This reflects the personal commitment that I received from the HSE last year that the introduction of CareDoc would not change the quality of service offered to patients here.”