“Political decisions have real world implications very very quickly” – A & E consultant Dr Chris Luke
D Doc saw a 58% increase in under six consultations in January.
Minister for Health Leo Varadkar said on RTE Tuesday that “you have to have the capacity in the system” in order to expand the free GP care to all age groups. The minister said that currently the system would be short “about 500 GPs” to provide such a service. On the same programme Dr Chris Luke, consultant in emergency medicine said that has been a significant increase in the number of under sixes attending A & E’s across the country. Dr Luke said that “inevitably there is going to be competition of resources…you can’t look after two patients at the same time, you can look after the toddler or the eighty year old on the trolley, you can’t look at both simultaneously”. Dr Luke said “Political decisions have real world implications very very quickly”
Dr Gary Stack, Medical Director of South Doc which covers the largest geographical area covering cork and Kerry said that they have experienced a huge increase in demand with a 46% increase in October. “There is less time in which to see patients and there are increased waiting times which can adversely affect the outcome for the patient who needs more urgent care”.
Dr Mel Bates, Medical director for D Doc which covers North Dublin said of the new demand created by free GP care to under sixes. “I don’t think anyone expected it to become as big as is has become”. Dr Bates referring to the minister’s comments said he “welcomed the fact that they are reflecting on the extra workload that had occurred”. Dr Bates said D Doc saw a 58% increase in under six consultations in January. Here is what the minister and Dr Bates had to say…