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Hospital services of 'major concern' to GPs as doctors claim they're struggling to get patients seen

Concerns have been raised by GPs about major difficulties in accessing hospital services.

HOSPITAL SERVICES ARE a “major concern” to general practice as doctors struggle to get their patients seen, it has been claimed.

Concerns have been raised by GPs about major difficulties in accessing hospital services.

The chairman of the GP Committee of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), Dr Denis McCauley, said that while more patients are coming forward, there are further “pinch points” developing in the hospital system.

He said the provision of non-Covid services in the hospital is “still a major issue”.

“One of the big workload issues we’re having at the present moment in general practice is trying to get services for people – some with cancer – in the hospital,” he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.

Non-Covid services in hospitals are not up to a level that I would feel are safe and that I would be comfortable with.
They (patients) are presenting but the pinch points are developing further down the system.

“Naturally if you have cancer, it’s really important that you are seen quickly.”

He said reports of GPs struggling to get their patients seen is widespread.

“I think hospital services really are a major concern to general practice, it’s taking up a lot of our time and it’s causing very significant worry and morbidity in our populations,” he added.

Dr McCauley also said that the GP workforce is getting older. There are currently 2,500 GPs across the country with 1,000 of them over 55 and 500 over 65 years of age.

“In the next four to five years 20% of the population is going to retire,” he warned.

“If you increase the workload in general practice it will have very significant consequences. One of the big gems that we have in general practice in Ireland is we still have the same day service, and anything that increases that capacity will put us in danger.”

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    Mute anto Byrne
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    Jul 1st 2013, 2:37 PM

    An absolute disgrace I have to sell yokes to keep me afloat.

    79
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    Mute Rick MacRory
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    Jul 1st 2013, 2:52 PM

    And the majority of fools will still blame our government . Its world wide recession. Foolish fools

    18
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    Mute NidgeWeasel
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    Jul 1st 2013, 3:00 PM

    No recession in my gaf.

    41
    See 4 more replies ▾
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    Mute Flippermac
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    Jul 1st 2013, 3:32 PM

    Dont forget to welcome all the unemployment from Croatia

    53
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    Mute Bobby Murray
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    Jul 1st 2013, 5:16 PM

    @ Rick, “foolish fools” I never heard of an intelligent fool, only a politicians fool and that is you and your “foolish” comments!

    23
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    Mute Tom Newell
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    Jul 1st 2013, 5:25 PM

    Yes rick the unemployment is all down to a world wide recession not mistakes made by governments and banks and greed and idiot decisions

    26
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    Mute Jonny Rigley
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    Jul 1st 2013, 8:55 PM

    What I’d like to see is the unemployment figures if Germany was excluded. I’d say that would give the figure a good jump

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    Mute itchy willy
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    Jul 1st 2013, 3:51 PM

    Vote for the Lisbon Treaty – vote for Jobs

    66
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    Mute grease lightening
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    Jul 1st 2013, 5:30 PM

    What do you mean a No vote? Ve vant a Yes vote!

    23
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    Mute Niall
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    Jul 1st 2013, 2:43 PM

    An extra 4 unemployed people in Ireland? Ha!

    48
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    Mute Bobby Murray
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    Jul 1st 2013, 5:27 PM

    “26 million people in the EU unemployed” not to worry, they are welcome in Ireland and they can get Social Welfare, free housing, children’s allowance (no need to uproot your children), free medical, travel pass and anything you can think of that theIrish who were self employed are not entitled too! Immigrants get priority! If you feel you are not getting your entitlements when you arrive on these shores, just shout racism and you are entitled to free legal representation too.
    All welcome even if you are not European!

    34
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    Mute Jack Green
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    Jul 1st 2013, 6:19 PM

    Is your social welfare open for abuse? Are you that thick as a nation? Cannot sort it out? Ask for help,ask Germany.Angela Merkel will be more than happy to help ye,she will knock the common sense in your heads

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    Mute Marko Burns
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    Jul 1st 2013, 2:54 PM

    4 people? Malcolm Tucker has been massaging the DOSAC figures again.

    32
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    Mute Cipiatone
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    Jul 1st 2013, 5:31 PM

    This austerity thing is working a treat!

    20
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    Mute FlopFlipU
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    Jul 1st 2013, 3:43 PM

    Good grief

    17
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    Mute Pete Foley
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    Jul 1st 2013, 5:44 PM

    Plus one more if they take any more money from me.

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    Mute murphy 11
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    Jul 1st 2013, 6:58 PM

    Bet seasonally adjusted figures show about 750,000 unemployed.

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    Mute noel beggs
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    Jul 1st 2013, 8:11 PM

    Wait till Albania get in. God help us

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    Mute grease lightening
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    Jul 1st 2013, 6:37 PM

    Anyone hear David Norris’s speech today? Worth a listen!

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    Mute Jack Green
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    Jul 1st 2013, 6:18 PM

    Is your social welfare open for abuse? Are you that thick as a nation? Cannot sort it out? Ask for help,ask Germany.Angela Merkel will be more than happy to help ye,she will knock the common sense in your heads.

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