Patients delay visits to GP ‘over cost’

Almost two-thirds of private patients delay going to see a GP because of cost, according to a study which indicates an even higher number put off going to see a consultant for the same reason.

The study by the Adelaide Health Foundation and the Department of Public Health & Primary Care at Trinity College Dublin also found that 67% of private patients struggle to pay for medications and other out- of-pocket expenses.

As for public patients, 71% reported long waiting times to see hospital consultants and 52% said they had experienced long waiting times to receive treatment after diagnosis.