Following a Crossmaglen GP practice’s announcement in March that they have “handed back” their contract to the Health Board (SPPG), Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan has spoken of the need for access to GP services in the community to be a “priority”.
Rathkeeland House Surgery’s – currently run by siblings Drs Brid and Kevin Allen – previously announced with regret that by the end of August 2025 they will no longer be GP partners of Rathkeeland House Surgery.
The surgery has been operating in the area since 2016 and was, in 2024, employing 18 staff members.
Related: ‘Incredibly concerning’ with GP services set to go from Crossmaglen’s Rathkeeland House Surgery
Speaking at the time, the doctors explained that while they “understand this may cause concern they are committed to “ensuring a smooth transition” for all patients.
They cite the reason for the decision as a result of a “lack of funding for the GP sector and increasing costs” which had caused the practice to struggle and become unsustainable in its current state.
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan took the matter to Stormont expressing a need for the Department of Health to work “alongside patients and GPs to ensure local people can continue to access vital health services”.
Added the MLA: “I will continue to press on the Minister of Health to address this issue as we need urgent action for the local community who avail of this crucial support.
“Commenting on the wider issue of GP I have expressed my disappointment that an agreement on GP contracts has not been reached between the Minister for Health and GP representative bodies.
“It is crucial that a speedy and satisfactory resolution is found to ensure the stability of our GP services.”
Addressing the importance of GP practices in preventative healthcare the MLA said: “The delivery of GP services in communities often prevent peoples health deteriorating and avoid additional pressure on hospital settings.
“They also play a key part of the transformation of health services and the roll out of multidisciplinary teams is something which the Sinn Féin Finance Minister has allocated £61 million towards.
“Sinn Féin will urge the Health Minister to re engage with GPs to find a resolution and to ensure people across the north continue to have access to good quality GP services in their communities now and into the future.”
