The overseas doctors in Ireland are silently becoming the ‘invisible workhorse’, especially in the health sector. Many meritorious students migrating to the country in the last decade are proving their forte in the field, getting all the vocational training that they need to become the most competent general practitioners that the land deserves and, consequently, staying back to serve a healthier Ireland. Dr Pramod Kumar Agarwal, who is vocationally trained in Ireland as a GP, is planning to start his GP practice in Lucan, Co Dublin.
Apart from the fact that Dr Agarwal’s clinic, ‘Agarwal Wellness and Medical Centre’ is going to be one of the youngest GP practices in Lucan, it is going to be different in various aspects. As Dr Agarwal and his team mention, they look beyond, keeping pace with the growing population and health needs in the area. The full range of medical services that the team wishes to cover would include one and all. Understanding that ‘Outstanding Care of Generations’ is a big responsibility, Dr Agarwal, himself a Medical Internist, and seasoned in medical writing, research and academia has gathered an excellent team to provide the best possible services.
The team is also striving to look into the often-overlooked ‘smaller things’ that eventually help to serve the patients better. To reinforce the ‘Patient First and Every Contact Counts’ approach, the team would offer flexible appointment hours – so that anyone can have a check-up at a convenient time. A strategic location in Lucan village with ample street parking facility would add to the ease, the up-skilled staff believes. Also, the team is ready to welcome the marginalized communities, immigrants, LGBTQ+ representatives, and other ethnic groups in open arms.
The practice location is well known to the locals as Dr Panos Harris, a well-respected GP who served the area for more than 50 years from the premises. He states ‘I wish Dr Agarwal well and I feel that he will add to the already excellent services provided by other GPs in the area’.
Local Councillor Paul Gogarty, who has also highlighted the shortage of GP services in Lucan, is actively supporting the new venture, having made a submission in support of Dr Agarwal’s planning application to restore a GP surgery at this location on Main Street.
Dr Agarwal’s dream project gets the auspices of Dr D Lombard, a well-known GP in the area and local medical education tutor, who noted that ‘I welcome the arrival of a new medical service for the people of Lucan. Medical services are in great demand and the existing services are regrettably insufficient to meet this need. Recent retirements of several local General Practitioners have led to a scarcity of access to essential healthcare. I welcome the arrival of Dr Agarwal and his new clinic and I am sure that his service will be welcomed by patients seeking to obtain local medical services’.
Dr Agarwal is excited and inspired to inaugurate his practice. As he quips, ‘I am thrilled to open the service to the residents of Lucan. I wish to change the public perception that it does not always need a fortune to claim a well-deserved, healthier life. Evidence has shown that the local people having their own general practice clinic for continued care is a potent intervention in itself and it translates into better improved health and wellbeing’. He plans to start attending to both private and GMS patients from the autumn of 2022.
Headed by Dr Pramod Kumar Agarwal, the practice has its premises at 2 Churchview, Main Street, Lucan. It is scheduled to remain open for 08:00-18:00 hours Monday to Friday. Apart from a one-stop solution to all medical needs, the caregivers plan to provide value added services, such as performing minor surgeries, joint injections, assistance in insurance, maternity and infant care, and COVID-19 vaccinations, among others.
For more information see their website www.awamc.ie. To contact practice email info@awamc.ie or call (01) 525 9777.
