by Andrew Carey
DOCTORS are warning that the crisis in general practice is at a “critical stage” and that a “yellow pack service” for patients is emerging.
Over 250 GPs from the Mid West attended a meeting in Limerick this week where they outlined the effect Government cuts are having on the provision of primary patient care.
They are calling for the government to reverse “socially detrimental cuts” that will see rural and elderly people losing out to young urban patients.
Doctors believe the introduction of free GP care for children under six will precipitate the collapse of general practice as we know it and claim the consequences will be devastating.
“This not a future crisis but a current one. It’s the result of €160 million being taken out of general practice and we are struggling to provide service to our patients – particularly elderly and rural ones,” said Dr Conor McGee, President of the National Association of General Practitioners.
Speaking of behalf of younger doctors, Dr Emmet Kerin warned that almost 30 per cent of newly qualified doctors are actively considering emigrating while one in five have already left. In the last year alone at least 13 GP principals emigrated while it is estimated that at least 30 per cent of established GPs will retire over the next 15 years.
“The HSE are not recording this, we know this is happening on the ground. We are seeing the personal relationship in general practice being lost and it’s accelerating to a yellow pack service where you don’t know your doctor and you are in and out in six minutes,” he said.
“The most common reason for GPs emigrating is not salary, but terms and conditions,” said Dr McGee.
“It is becoming harder for GPs to meet our commitments. We are not able to see patients as often or as long as we should. If you can’t consult properly then it is the patient who will lose.”
He warned the government’s attempt to impose the Dutch model where patients are seen every six minutes would not work in Ireland.
Doctors also called on the government to review their decision to introduce free GP care to all children under six and to prioritise those who are in most need of care.
Speakers at the event included Dr Edward Walsh, Founding President of the University of Limerick, Dr Mary Gray and Dr Michael Harty.
