"It's easier to get a vet to your house than it is a doctor."
That's according to a number of local councillors after the 'doc-on-call' service came under heavy criticism at a recent Cavan County Council meeting.
It was councillor Philip Brady who brought forward the motion to write to the Manager of the 'North East Doctor On Call' and also the HSE, after he experienced first-hand the many issues that lie within the service.
Councillor Shane P O'Reilly also supported the council motion.
He stated that the doc-on-call service was set-up to help those in an emergency setting and is instead causing immense stress on families.
He added that he could "easily" get a vet to his house, but could not get a doctor because the HSE "doesn't want" to pay extra staff or locums.
Virginia councillor, TP O'Reilly also voiced his concerns, claiming that there is a "complete lack of engagement" between the HSE and smaller communities.
Despite this, councillor Carmel Brady told council members that the issue lies with the lack of staff willing to participate in the doc-on-call scheme.
She claimed that only three GPs in Cavan were willing to cover weekend and out-of-hour emergencies, and that the scheme "would close" if the retention and recruitment of staff continued to be an issue.
Councillor Phillip Brady agreed with her comments, and believes an incentive should be given to young doctors to practice in local communities for a period of time, as opposed to "jetting off" elsewhere as soon as their studies are completed.
