GP claims hospital referral letters are unopened to avoid wait list fines

A LEADING north-east GP has claimed patient referral letters are being left unopened across the country to help hospitals avoid waiting list-related fines.

Reacting to the news that thousands of referral letters failed to be opened at Tallaght Hospital, Dr Illona Duffy said the situation is being mirrored in facilities across Ireland.

Highlighting a specific case in 2007, the GP said she contacted Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda on two occasions asking for an adult orthopaedic patient she was treating to be seen.