GPs offer colleagues free consultations
Dr Ronan Boland, a GP in Cork city, confirmed there was a “long-standing custom” where doctors don’t charge each other for healthcare. Moreover, such munificence is often extended to a doctor’s family.
Hospital consultants are equally generous to colleagues. Donal Duffy, assistant general secretary of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) said it was “fair to say” that where consultants were well known to each other, “there would be some pro bono work done”.
