Anger as Leo says GPs send too many patients to A&E

FAMILY doctors have taken offence with Leo Varadkar’s ‘infuriating’ suggestion that they are referring too many patients to A&Es.

The number of hospital referrals made by each doctor should be recorded ‘to identify those GPs who over-refer so that they can be persuaded to change their practice,’ the Taoiseach said.

He was reported to have made the comments at a private meeting of Fine Gael TDs and senators last Wednesday, telling them that if every GP sent two fewer patients to an emergency department every week it would a big step towards resolving the trolley crisis.

A spokesman for the Taoiseach at the time said he was ‘referring to the need to empower GPs to perform more procedures themselves by giving them direct access to tests and diagnostics so that referrals are not necessary.’

The Taoiseach’s spokesman said Mr Varadkar proposed monitoring referral rates in order to identify the GPs who ‘overrefer’ to combat hospital waiting lists.

The National Association of GPs said the Taoiseach’s comments were hugely concerning and accused Mr Varadkar, himself a qualified doctor and former health minister, of not understanding ‘the crux of the problems in the healthcare system’.

‘If there is inappropriate behaviour taking place in the healthcare system, it is not GPs who will be taking the blame,’ the NAGP said yesterday, adding: ‘GPs refer patients to A&E departments as a last resort.

‘The inference that GPs should be monitored in terms of their referral rate hugely undermines our professional, educated and compassionate reasoning for referring patients to A&E.’

Tipperary GP Dr Iver Hanrahan said he was ‘seething’ after hearing the Taoiseach’s comments. He tweeted: ‘Makes it even worse coming from a man once in the profession. I sent two people to A&E IN TOTAL last week... You are absolutely clueless.’

Cork GP Eilis Murphy shared that sentiment, saying: ‘Infuriating and demoralising to read the Taoiseach’s comments.’