Call for clarity on urgent care service

Doreen Russell from Harryville has lodged a formal complaint with Dalriada Urgent Care (formerly Dalriada Doctor on Call) who have confirmed to this newspaper that her claim is currently being investigated through their Complaints Procedure.

The 64-year-old from Queen Street, who has survived three heart attacks says she had gone to Ballykeel II with her son on Sunday, July 3, to visit someone when she “took bad”.

“I was just walking round the corner of the houses when I took terrible pins and needles in my legs,” she said.

“Then I got pins and needles across my head and I started getting pains in my chest. I got back to my car and I drove a couple of yards before I had to get out. I saw the Green and just sat down on the grass,” said Doreen.

“I could see a Dalriada Urgent Care car nearby. Just by that the doctor on call came out of the house and my son who was with me ran up to him and asked him to take a look at me. But he told him he would have to either phone the Dalriada doctors or phone for an ambulance.”

Her husband was then called for and he drove his wife to the Dalriada Urgent Care Centre.

“When my husband went in and explained the situation, he was told that I needed to make an appointment,” said Doreen.

A short time later, however, Doreen said a doctor arrived outside and checked her over as she sat in the car. He advised that she be taken straight up to A&E which they did and she was examined and given an ECG.

“The pain started to go away after a while but it really scared the life out of me. -After three heart attacks I was worried,” said Doreen.