GPs threaten to withdraw out-of-hours coverage

DOCTORS have warned that they may be forced to withdraw out-of-hours coverage for patients unless the Department of Health and Health Services Executive offer more support to GPs.

Public patients could face waiting lists to visit their GP unless the Government provides greater funding for family doctor services, the Irish Medical Organisation has warned.

Dr Martin Daly, chairman of the IMO’s GP committee, says it is no longer realistic to expect newly qualified doctors to operate 24-hour services. He warned that patients in deprived urban and rural parts of the country would suffer most from the failure of the Government to offer greater incentives for doctors to develop their practices.