Doctor's Visits
Wednesday 21 October 2009
The two medical practices in Ballycastle are scheduled to carry out a number of sessions on the Island between now and March 2010. Dr Fergal Hasson visited in September and returned in October to give flu vaccinations. Dr. Hegarty’s and Dr Hasson’s practise is due to make two more scheduled visits, one in January and another in March.
The Dalriada Family Practice (Drs McLister, Burns and O’Kane) are only due to make one visit this year (financial year ending March 2010). This is a reduction from the three visits provided last year and is due to the Health Board deeming that the Dalriada Practice does not have enough patients on Rathlin Island to warrant funding three visits. This practice will also be offering the flu vaccinations to all their patients who wish to avail of the vaccine. Both practices recognise the importance of the visits and the personal contact it allows.
The RDCA is in communication with both Practices, exploring what appropriate support we can give to reinstate the two visits lost from the Dalriada Family Practice and to encourage continuous medical support for the Island’s residents.