Government must act to save Summerhill GP Practice
Labour’s Health Spokesperson Marie Sherlock TD has called on the Government to take immediate action to prevent the closure of the GP Care for All practice in Summerhill, Dublin 1.
Speaking in the Dáil earlier today, Deputy Sherlock challenged the Minister for Finance to urgently act to protect the medical charity that is providing services to 2,600 people in the North Inner City.
“This is an issue that arose in early 2024. Now in 2025, the reality is that we have had no progress and no assurance that this medical charity can continue.
“Changes introduced in the Finance Act 2023 has had the perverse impact of exposing the 5 GP’s in the medical charity to a double income tax liability. The GP’s have said that if there is no change by June, they will be left with no choice to withdraw their services. This would have a devastating impact on the 2,600 people currently served by this GP practice.
Deputy Sherlock said in the Dáil today:
“Last November, during the election campaign, former Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, went on Prime Time and promised, “no way are we going to let this practice close”. He even said that not only would it remain open, but it would serve as a pilot for a new practice in Finglas.
“Where is that commitment now? The reality is that GP Care for All is on the brink. The demand for its services is huge with them turning away 10-15 prospective patients every day, while the Government sits on its hands.
“The reality is that a medical charity was set up in the area, simply because no GP would set up a practice there.
“This is a practice where the average age of death is 59. That tells you everything about the complex medical and social needs its covers. Even The Lancet has weighed in, calling Ireland an outlier for its lack of accessible primary care. Our broken GP system isn’t an accident, it’s a choice.
“The Minister for Health has acknowledged that something needs to be done, but Labour is demanding action, not just words. The Minister for Finance’s response in the Dáil today was completely unacceptable. We know the Department of Health provided just three solutions. Two potential solutions were rejected by the HSE, while the third – forming a partnership – would force a GP to take on the financial risk of running a GMS only practice. No doctor will take on that gamble.
“There is an irony here. GP Care for All has received donations to expand services in Finglas East and to open a second list in Summerhill, yet it now faces closure because of government inaction.
“The Minister’s response in the Dáil was inadequate. He said the issue is bring treated with urgency, with little proof of this. The Government must find a solution and let these doctors get on with their work. The community in Summerhill cannot afford to lose this service.”