Our VITAL out of hours GP service in the Midlands is to shut indefinitely from New Year’s Day.

The Midlands GP service MIDOC, which had been running for 20 years, and covers the counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath with a combined population of almost 300,000, has come under financial strain.

Established in 2002, MIDOC was formed by a group of local GPs. The service has been providing attention for patients with urgent medical needs and whose family doctor is part of the MIDOC Co-Op.

This is service needs to remain open for all.