Funding of over 400,000 euro has been secured to ensure the continuation of the out of hours GP service in East Galway and South Roscommon.
Concern was raised last week over the future of Westdoc in the area due to a number of retirements and the excessive work hours of some doctors.
Minister Donnelly confirmed last night €426,000 has been granted for the Dunlo Medical Centre and Marina House Medical in Ballinasloe.
It will also include Lawrencetown, Kiltormer, Eyrecourt and Kilconnell in south East Galway.
Local Councillor and Doctor Evelyn Francis Parsons hopes the funding will put the area on an even footing to attract and retain GP's. She says this future proofs care in the local community.
''This has been tagged and ring fenced for this area and it's now up to the GP's locally to negotiate the terms of the out of hours contract with the co-op in question. And hopefully going forward, it's understood that this will be an annual allocation. And so obviously, once you provide a service, it's very, very difficult to withdraw it so this tis sort of future proofing continuity of care.''
