Departing Trillick GP extends notice period amid recruitment pressures

A TRILLICK GP has extended his notice period amid a recruitment crisis of rural doctors.

Dr Declan Morgan, who covers the Dromore and Trillick areas, had initially been due to step down from the role at the end of the month but has extended it until June 30.

In a letter sent to Daniel McCrossan MLA, the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) states, “The practice is writing to patients to inform them of this development and to provide reassurance.

“The Health and Social Care Board is continuing the search for a replacement to maintain the GMS services at the practice post June 30.”

The HSCB added that GP practices across the North have been under “considerable pressure” in the past number of years, even beyond the pandemic.

Last month the health minister offered reassurances that the GP services covering Dromore and Trillick would not close.

Dr Morgan informed the HSCB  in January of his intention to resign and hand back the contract to deliver GP services for the two areas.

There are thousands of patients registered to the two practices, which are among the busiest in West Tyrone.