North Cork TD Seán Sherlock has received an assurance directly from the Minister for Health that there are no plans to close SouthDoc operations in Mallow and Fermoy, and he warned the Government and the HSE that any such move would be met with fierce resistance.

“The concern about closure has come from well-placed sources within the healthcare network,” he said. “The potential that SouthDoc is seeking to close North Cork operations has genuinely concerned people, particularly older and vulnerable families,” he said. “North Cork shouldn’t have to live under a Sword of Damocles, fearful that an announcement on possible closure or a diminution of out-of-hours medical services is ever-present.

The Minister and HSE have confirmed in writing that there are no plans, and we will accept that for now. However, any move, by stealth or otherwise, to shut North Cork services will and should be fiercely resisted by all political parties in North Cork.”

SouthDoc has facilities in Mallow, Kanturk, Fermoy and several other towns in Co. Cork.