RCGPNI and BMA stand in solidarity with Lisnaskea Health Centre

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGPNI) and the BMA Northern Ireland General Practitioners Committee (NIGPC) have condemned the erection of posters and abuse of staff at the Lisnaskea Health Centre.

Posters have been placed outside the centre, as well as abusive comments made on social media, criticising the health centre. This has created a hostile atmosphere for staff and patients alike, as Lisnaskea Health Centre staff continue to work tirelessly to meet increasing demand.

Dr Ursula Mason, Chair of RCGPNI, said: “I want to send my support to all the staff at Lisnaskea Health Centre. Harassment of this nature cannot be tolerated.

“Across Northern Ireland, practices are working against a backdrop of contract hand backs and instability. The vast majority of GPs want to be in a position to deliver good quality NHS care for their patients and pay the bills.

“As long as general practice in Northern Ireland remains underfunded, more practices will struggle to provide sustainable services for their patients. There can be no excuse to target hard-working staff, and the abuse aimed at staff at Lisnaskea Health Centre is unacceptable.”

Dr Frances O’Hagan, Chair of BMA Northern Ireland’s GP committee said: “This action against the staff of Lisnaskea Health Centre is totally unacceptable; no one should be faced with abuse like this when they are just trying to do their job. 

“GPs are working harder than ever, doing the absolute best they can for patients, despite huge shortages of staff and increased practice sizes. Action like this will do nothing to encourage GPs to come and work in the area, risking the situation becoming even worse.” 

Further information

For media requests, contact Pearse Kelly: email pearse.kelly@rcgp.org.uk, or phone 07341 737033.

Notes to editors

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 54,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.