There's outrage in large parts of Co. Clare today following the announcement that ShannonDoc services are to be scaled back.
The Kilrush/Ennistymon service will re-locate to Miltown Malbay on weekdays, while the Killaloe centre will be serviced by a mobile doctor.
The changes will come into effect in the coming weeks.
ShannonDoc' Chairman inists that they've been left with no other option but to make these changes that have been met with derision and anger by a large number of Clare FM listeners.
Dr. Pat Morrissey outlined how GPs have become frustrated over having to work long hours, and a statement from the gruop outlines how the affected Shannondoc offices have seen low attendances.
Dr Morrissey says they're trying their best to maintain a safe service.
One member of the not-for-profit co-op believes it was evident for some time that changes were on the horizon in Shannondoc due to the falling number of GPs.
In West and North Clare, Shannondoc says the number of GPs has fallen from 22 to 15 in the past edcade.
Corofin Dr Fergus Glynn admits that changes to the services may present challenges.
Political figures are among those who have expressed concern, among them the Clare TD who warned of the impact of the GP crisis during his campaign.
Kilmihil-based Dr Michael Harty argued that the working hours required by doctors up til now simply aren't sustainable.
However, a former TD believes manpower is not the sole reason for these cutbacks.
Ex-Labour TD Michael McNamara believes a funding issue could be at the hear of the matter.
The Killaloe clinic will now be serviced by a mobile doctor during the week, and will open for just four hours on weekend afternoons.
The Kilrush/Ennistymon will re-locate to Miltown Malbay during weekdays, and while both centres will be open at weekends, they will close two hours earlier.
In both areas, local representatives say people are concerned about the impact, particularly on other local services.
Kilrush Independent Councillor Ian Lynch and, Killaloe Fianna Fáil representative Tony O'Brien have expressed fears over the future of the service.
In the past hour, the changes at ShannonDoc have been raised on the floors of both the Seanad and the Dáil.
First, in the Seanad, Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway called on the health Minister to make a statement on the matter.
While in the last few minutes, during the Dáil's Order of Business, Clare Fianna Fáil TD pressed Minister Simon Harris on the issue.
Health Minister Simon Harris responded by saying that he will ask to be briefed on the issue during a planned visit to the MidWest tomorrow.
