Tag Archives: Shannondoc

THE dramatic €850,000 increase in income from the General Medical Card Service (GMS) for an out-of-hours GP service, despite a much lower call volume, has been questioned by local health campaigners, writes Dan Danaher. The 2020 audited financial statement for Shannondoc revealed the number of calls handled by the company fell by 12% from 112,273 in 2019 to 98,178 in 2020. It also shows income from the GMS increased from €1,050,607 in 2019 to €1,900,655 in 2020. Overall income jumped from €7,306,717 in 2019 to €8,032,116 in 2020. This included income in 2020 from HSE Out-of-Hours €4,639,883; HSE Specimen Collection: €258,319; HSE SATU €49,275; HSE Methadone clinics and psychology services income: €176,297; HSE Other Income: €92,940; members’ contributions €654,433 and private patients’ income €154,384. The company received more than 50% of its income in the year from state funding through the HSE. According to the Shannondoc Reinstate Committee, for the past number of weeks Miltown Malbay has started to be …

SHANNONDOC has predicted patient numbers across the Christmas period this year will be double normal operating levels. Looking ahead to the busiest period of the year for the service, which provides non-emergency GP care outside of normal surgery hours, ShannonDoc Chair Dr Ailish Kenny urged the public to be patient as staff try to deal with the huge increase in calls. “We normally deal with about 2,500 patients per week but that will more or less double over Christmas when GP practices will, of course, be closed for public holidays as well as weekends. Over the course of the Christmas and New Year period, we could care for approx 10,000 patients in total. “That’s a huge throughput and a credit to all our staff. Every year the organisation rises to the challenge and our staff have been incredible over the past 20 months with Covid-19, while the public, too, have been understanding and supportive in light of the challenges facing …

MINISTER for Health Stephen Donnelly wrote to Clare TD Violet Anne Wynne recently, regarding the future of out of hours medical care in Shannon. The Minister advised Ms Donnelly that while the local Shannondoc facility will not be opening in the near future, doctors may still come to Shannon to help patients. In his letter Minister Donnelly stated, “The HSE have advised that the Shannondoc contingency plan in response to Covid-19 is an interim plan in the current pandemic environment. “Within the proposed contingency plan, while GPs may not be stationed in the Shannon treatment centre, they will be available to treat patients in Shannon, if and when required. Following triage, the GP will, as deemed clinically appropriate, come and see the patient in the treatment centre, carry out a home visit or, arrange a virtual consultation. “The Shannondoc Covid-19 contingency plan facilitates where there are increased demands in certain areas, support can be provided from other treatment centres to …

SHANNONDOC’S recently filed annual accounts show a surplus of over €103,000 for 2019, but the company remains in the red. Its liabilities at December 31, 2019, exceeded its total assets by €141,813, and with the statements prepared on a going concern basis, the continued support of the HSE and member doctor contributions are necessary for the company to remain in operation. Having filed a loss of €65,918 for 2018, the company performed better in 2019 to deliver a surplus of €103,591. The financial statement read, “The validity of the assumption (that it will continue to operate) depends on the continued support of the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the member doctors’ contributions. The HSE has confirmed that it will continue to fund the company for the next 12 months subject to the terms of the Service Arrangement entered into with the company, which is renewed annually. “The company has made a surplus for the second quarter of 2020 and is …

THE delay in restoring full GP out-of-hours services in Clare three weeks after a HSE pledge about the full resumption of facilities has been criticised by a union official. In response to a Dáil question from Deputy Maurice Quinlivan, the HSE primary care general manager, Carmel McLaughlin outlined that Shannondoc has commenced the restoration of services on September 14 in Hospital, Roscrea and Thurles and that planning is underway in relation to the resumption of services in Clare. Ms McLaughlin stated the HSE and Shannondoc were committed to the full restoration of all services that were in existence pre Covid-19. A spokesperson for Shannondoc said, “As a result of the Covid-19 public health crisis, a consolidated model of service operating from five treatment centres across the Mid-West was introduced at Shannondoc. “These changes were necessary to protect its GPs, its front-line staff and patients while ensuring the service was maintained to patients through-out the mid-west during the crisis. “Shannondoc, supported …

A Clare Councillor ,who is still recovering from contracting Covid-19, has described the virus as “horrific” for patients who are forced to self-isolate away from family members. In an extensive interview with the Clare Champion, Councillor Ann Norton admitted she is still exhausted and can only do household chore for about 30 to 45 minutes before she falls asleep. “At one stage, I could do something for 15 minutes and could sleep for 20 hours. Now I can do something for 45 minutes. I am trying every day to do a bit more every day,” she admitted. The Clare Crusaders’ Clinic managing director is still baffled about where she could have picked up the highly contagious virus, having taken all the necessary precautions of infection control measures in her home, wearing gloves and a mask. “I would hate to hear of anyone getting Covid-19. It is horrific. It is so hard. I am so used to being able to think …

SHANNONDOC, the out of hours GP service for Clare, Limerick and Tipperary, has asked the public for understanding over the Christmas period due to anticipated and unprecedented volumes of patients presenting to the service. Last weekend alone, a record 1,900 patients presented to Shannondoc and while additional resources have been put in place, Shannondoc has said that it expects patient numbers to increase considerably again over the Christmas period.  This will, it said, put pressure on the out-of-hours service and it warned the public of potential lengthy delays at peak times. It also asked the public to remember that it is an urgent care only service, that routine matters should be presented GPs during normal day time hours and that any patients who have concerns about potential life-threatening illnesses should present immediately to emergency services. Shannondoc Chairman Dr Pat Morrissey said:  “Christmas is the busiest time of the year for the Shannondoc service but we are already in the midst …

DESPITE an independent auditor’s report claiming Shannondoc had not operated “a robust enough system of internal controls”, the HSE has defended the service and said it is in compliance with the terms under which it receives millions of euro each year. Shannondoc is the out-of hours medical service to residents of the Mid-West. It significantly reduced services in Kilrush, Ennistymon and Killaloe in 2016. On Sunday, a protest march in Ennis at 3pm will highlight cuts to Shannondoc in Clare, along with seeking the restoration of a 24-hour Emergency Department in Ennis. Shannondoc recently filed its accounts for 2017 and, in these, Neil W Mulcahy of Limerick- based MGM Accountants wrote, “In our opinion, the company did not operate a robust enough system of internal controls during the period, leading to inadequate control over the purchasing and outsourcing functions”. He added, “This lack of control meant that we were unable to conduct a proper audit of regularity within the purchasing …