GPs advised not to take on extra refugee patients

GPs are unable to treat refugees or asylum seekers because they cannot cope with the heavy workload, the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) said yesterday.

Many have contacted GP leader Dr James Reilly and told their health boards they cannot cope.

"These doctors now simply have no choice but to stop taking on extra refugee/asylum seeker patients and many have been advised to do this by their medical defence bodies because of the implications for safe practice caused by the extra workload."