Rathkeeland House concerns brought the to Assembly

A statement on behalf of Dr Brid Allen and Dr Kevin Allen said it was “with regret” that they have handed back their GP contract to SPPG (Health Board), meaning that from the end of August 2025 they will no longer be GP partners of the surgery, pointing to the “well publicised lack of funding in the GP sector and increasing costs”.

Sinn Féin’s Aoife Finnegan said the situation “highlights the severe underfunding of general practice, making it increasingly unsustainable for practices to continue operating under existing contracts”.

The Newry and Armagh MLA said Rathkeeland House "has served the health needs of the community for many years and has been a vital service that many people have depended on, with over 4,500 patients registered to the practice”.

She called on the Department of Health to engage directly the practice “to ensure that the community of Crossmaglen has access to GP services in the future”. Ms Finnegan said the Southern Trust has “taken on additional contracts and pays GPs exorbitant locum fees” – something she said was “not a sustainable solution”.

She continued: "The closure of Rathkeeland House surgery leaves staff facing potential unemployment, with the uncertain hope of being retained by the Southern Trust.

"It could mean new contracts at lower pay rates for those who have dedicated years to caring for patients. It is particularly frustrating for staff and patients to see photos of the Health Minister from nine months ago, when he visited Rathkeeland House surgery and awarded over £100,000 to it for a much-needed expansion.

"Now, less than a year later, the surgery is handing back its contracts due to inadequate support from the health authorities. How could the Minister have visited those premises and not recognised the dire situation that the practice was in? What concrete steps will he take to ensure that the people of Crossmaglen and south Armagh can access essential GP services?

"Our community deserves answers and a commitment to ensuring that quality healthcare is accessible to all."