Ardara Health Centre

30/08/2024

It has been 1 week since my last day as a GP in Ardara and after spending a lovely week with 2 of my grandchildren I did not see the time passing

I would like to thank my fantastic team at the Ardara Health Centre, which has been with me through the years.
Nurses Carol and Breda. Dr Eleanor Cape. Secretaries Karen, Joyce and recently Amanda and in former times Rosemarie, Noreen and Kathleen.
It was also a pleasure to work closely with Lorraine and Gill PHN, Paul Mc Cann CPN, Liam, Palliative Care Nurse and Caroline Barrett from Social Prescribing

I truly believe that beyond my work as a GP, it’s the team spirit that kept us all going especially in difficult times.

Thanks also to the local chemist

I would like to thank you, my patients, for your good wishes, cards, flowers and presents
I was deeply touched by all your kindness

I congratulate Dr Charlie Mc Manus and wish him all the best for the future as GP in Ardara

Mireille

21/08/2024

Important announcement regarding GP service in Ardara

I attach below the body of an email sent by me to the HSE today, followed by their reply.

"Dear Sandra
Following numerous contacts on my side I still have no contact from the HSE about my replacement.
This is causing increasing anxiety to my patients and I can’t reassure them
Could you please inform me as to which number I should put on my answering machine at 6 pm tomorrow
As you know since 22 May 2024 I won’t be insured anymore so won’t be able to work as a doctor from 6 pm tomorrow
Thanking you
Mireille Sweeney "

Reply at 16.18 today

"Dear Dr. Sweeney,



Thank you for your email. I can confirm that contracts have been signed and that your panel will be transferring to the new GP from Friday. There will be a press release issued tomorrow morning. Apologies for the late notice but as you can imagine this is a confidential process and can take considerable time to complete.



With regard to contact details on the answering machine I am assuming that the cover from 6pm Thursday evening to 9am on Friday morning would be provided by Nowdoc and that the normal practice number would be in use thereafter.



I would like to take this opportunity to wish you well upon your retirement.



Kindest regards.



Norma





Norma Doyle,

Assistant Staff Officer,

Primary Care Development Unit,

JFK House,

JFK Parade,

Sligo."

06/08/2024

As you know I will be working my last day as GP in Ardara on 22.08.2024

I have been in touch with the HSE, but have yet to be informed:

If interviews have been held for the post of GP in Ardara;
and if so, is there a successful candidate?

In my contacts with the HSE I have always stressed that the premises at Ardara Health Centre
would be at the disposal of any successful candidate.

As the current GP, some form of communication from the HSE would be appreciated.
It would also be helpful to my staff if they had some idea whether they will be reemployed by any successful candidate.

30/05/2024

Important announcement

After 29 years as a GP in Ardara, it is with a heavy heart that I have handed my resignation to the HSE, my employer. For years I have highlighted to the HSE the looming manpower crisis that single handed rural GPs are facing, while also proposing practical solutions to these problems. Schemes introduced in recent years by the HSE aimed at improving patient care although highly successful have put huge additional demands on any single-handed GP practice. In the past 2 years at Ardara Health Centre the post of GP Assistant, GP Partner and my post as Principal GP has been offered to 11 individuals (nationally and internationally), all showing genuine interest in the practice but unwilling to accept the demands of a single-handed Rural GP practice. In the past 5 years there have been 2 occasions when I found I just could not continue without having a period away from work for my own well-being. On these occasions it was left to me to provide my own cover. I relied on agency Locum Doctors to run the practice. This is a short-term solution to the problem and was found unsustainable for the practice.
I have exhausted all possible avenues to ensure a successor in my position as GP in Ardara, this matter is now in the hands of the HSE.
Myself and my staff at Ardara Health Centre have no information on the procedure for appointing a new GP for Ardara.

I would like to thank my wonderful staff; nurses Carol and Breda, and secretaries Karen, Joyce and Amanda, for their enthusiasm, commitment, work ethic and friendship over the years. I want to thank the Public Health Nurse Lorraine and all the community care team for their wonderful work. It has been a particular pleasure to finish my career working with Dr Cape, an outstanding GP.
Thanks to my husband John for all his work behind the scenes.

Thank you also to Kelly’s pharmacy and to all the local GPs who have helped out at the practice over the years.

And most importantly I would like to thank you, my patients.

Dr Mireille Sweeney
22.05.2024

23/05/2024

Good morning. We are planning to hold a covid19 booster clinic next Monday afternoon 27/5/24. This is for patients over 70 years old and all vulnerable children and adults with immunocompromise, including pregnant women. Please phone the surgery to book your place if you wish to avail of this.

29/12/2023

Good morning. Unfortunately we are having issues with the phone lines again today, although they seem to be working intermittently. Alternatively you can get us on the clinic mobile at 0874174209 or call in to reception. We are working on rectifying the issue as quickly as possible and appreciate your patience.

22/12/2023

We are currently having an issue with our phone lines, possibly related to the stormy weather. We are open all day today as usual. Please phone the clinic mobile on 0874174209 or call to reception as we try to resolve the issue. Thank you for your understanding.

18/12/2023

Christmas opening hours:
We will close Friday evening (22nd Dec) for the Christmas break and will re-open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week (27, 28, 29 Dec) . We will be closed Monday 1st January and will be back as normal from Tuesday 2nd January.
Please note you may not be able to book your appointment via our online system over the Christmas period, but please phone reception during our usual opening hours and we will be able to arrange an appointment for you.

Wishing all of our patients a very Merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year in 2024.

30/11/2023

Gentle reminder: we still have lots of flu vaccine and covid19 boosters in stock. Please phone reception @ 0749541134 if you wish to be put on the list for our next clinic.

https://www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/get-the-vaccine/covid-19-vaccine-booster-dose/

https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/get-vaccine/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAgqGrBhDtARIsAM5s0_n5nVcs38pT1qjM89oUepwmfYjd6F4LK2tvFjEjG1hogXueM4pRtN4aAidyEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

The next seasonal COVID-19 booster doses will be offered in autumn.

28/11/2023

Have you checked if you qualify for the new doctor visit or medical cards? The income thresholds and eligibility changed this month. Citizen's information have a nice page to help you understand if you may be eligible, check it out on the link below. Full information on how to apply is available via the HSE website.

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/medical-cards-and-gp-visit-cards/examples-of-calculating-eligibility-for-gp-visit-card-for-under-70s/

23/11/2023

We have a couple of updates regarding the care of our smallest patients today..

1. Childhood flu vaccines. This year the HSE are encouraging all children aged 2-12 and children aged 13-17 with an underlying health condition or compromised immune system to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. This vaccine protects children from flu, including some serious complications that are possible as a result of flu infection. The vaccine is safe, with only very mild side effects experienced by a few. For children, the vaccine is delivered via a nasal spray, so no need for needles! You can read more about the flu vaccine for children at the link below. If you are interested in booking your child for a flu vaccine, or would like to discuss this further with one of our nurses or doctors, please phone our reception at 074 9541134
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/childrens-flu-vaccine/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAo7KqBhDhARIsAKhZ4uipL5EdPdD1MsXVLC-aPdDi-cQMH99xbLKirNkkhuUTQVUat4uJHAAaArLeEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

2. Extension of under-6 Doctor Visit Card scheme. The government has recently extended the age of children eligible for a doctor visit card from under 6 years old to under 8. Parents of children who turned 6 before the 1 July 2023, or who are age 7 can apply for this card for their child now. More information and to apply is available at
https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/gp-visit-cards/under-8s/

All children under 8 living in Ireland can get a GP visit card. Register online for an Under 8s GP visit card from the HSE.