GPS ‘EXTINCT IN 10 YEARS’
Doctors warn of crisis over lack of investment
DOCTORS’ general practice here is in meltdown and will be extinct within 10 years, it was warned yesterday.
The National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP) hit out over the “ongoing crisis” and described primary care as the “cornerstone of a reformed healthcare system”. The GP body, which has 1,900 members, said the lack of investment is at odds with Health Minister Simon Harris’ intention of moving more services into the community. And they stressed their doctors would not take on any further additional work without the required investment in Gp-led primary care. Speaking ahead of their AGM in Maynooth this weekend, chairman Dr Andrew Jordan said: “General practice could be as extinct as the Tasmanian Tiger if the crisis is not urgently addressed. “Locum GPS are commonplace where practices are unviable and the HSE has failed to recruit a GP for vacant lists. It is beyond belief that the Government, despite the NAGP’S many warnings, has let general practice reach this point where GP numbers have fallen so far below international standards. “The Government proposal to move more care into the community will fall flat if there are no GPS to implement the service. We anticipate the publication of the Future of Healthcare committee’s report on their vision for healthcare reform later this month. “It will be interesting to see if this vision has been properly costed. “GPS are ideally positioned to play a central role in healthcare reform which sees a decisive shift to Gp-led primary care. “However, general practice, as it currently exists, will be extinct in 10 years if we don’t benefit from urgent investment. “We are all looking to the future but we must not let this stop us from addressing the immediate challenges for GPS and their patients.” NAGP president Dr Emmet Kerin said pay cuts imposed under FEMPI (Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) has been the death knell of general practice and called for a U-turn. The NAGP said the pressure on services resulted in people struggling to find a GP who is accepting new patients while existing patients are experiencing longer waiting times for appointments.