Concerns are growing over the future of a south Armagh GP surgery, with fears it will close at the end of June, leaving patients facing dispersal to other facilities.
Maphoner Surgery in Mullaghbawn serves an estimated 5,000-plus patients but the current GP is due to step away from the position in less than two months.
The Department of Health said it is working on a solution but there are fears a replacement will not be found, either permanent or temporary.
A department spokesperson said: “Department of Health staff are working extensively to ensure the continuation of GP services for the local community in Mullaghbawn.
“We are still in discussions with potential contractors to take over the current contract for Maphoner Surgery from 1 July 2023."
Newry and Mourne MLA Justin McNulty, whose family have attended the surgery for many years, has raised concerns.
“The future arrangements surrounding the practice is of particular interest to me given that my family have been patients at this practice for decades," he said.
"Any proposals which involve the closure of Mullaghbawn GP Surgery need to rejected totally.
"South Armagh’s GP practices are already buckling under the pressure of the worst GP to patient ratios anywhere in the north, and the suggestion that a solution to the current issues at Mullaghbawn is to pull the shutters down and send patients to Crossmaglen, Newtownhamilton and Meigh is utter madness."
A trust spokesperson told ArmaghI: “GPs are independent practitioners and are not managed through the Southern Trust."
Meanwhile, a surgery in Co Antrim and another in Co Fermanagh are to remain open after the Department of Health announced new contractors had been secured.
Maple Healthcare Practice in Lisnaskea and Bernaghmore Medical Practice, Ballymena had been facing uncertain futures, with contracts to operate them ending at the end of May.
A Department of Health spokesperson said both surgeries will now be operated by a subsidiary company of the FSU GP Practice Management CIC (Federation Support Unit), after "extensive work" to secure contractors.
"All 14,109 patients of Maple Healthcare Practice and 3,807 patients of Bernaghmore Medical Practice have been automatically registered with the new practice," the spokesperson added.
