#Budget19: Hospital capacity deficits unresolved

Family doctors and hospital consultants are warning that Budget 2019 does not address capacity deficits and will lead to longer waiting times to see GPs and more widespread cancellation of surgery in public acute hospitals.

While the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) welcomes a 10% increase in the weekly income thresholds for GP visit cards — potentially expanding access to a further 100,000 people — it said the extension will put further pressures on GPs.