BY C.J. MCGINLEY

ARRANMORE islanders are living in fear due to the lack of out of hours medical cover, it was claimed yesterday (Thursday).

Mr Tony Gallagher, a spokesman for the islanders said three sick people had to be ferried by lifeboat to the mainland this week because the NowDoc service does not go on to the island.

Mr Gallagher, a former Manager of Arranmore Co-op said people felt NowDoc was not providing adequate out of hours cover on the island.

"The Health Service Executive say we're part of the NowDoc scheme but it isn't working for the island. After 5pm we don't have a doctor or nurse.The NowDoc service tells us to put patients on a lifeboat," he said.

"We're being left in the lurch. NowDoc isn't working for the island and we want to meet our own doctor and the HSE to discuss the concerns of the local people," Mr Gallagher said.

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