Irish doctors see fewer patients than their EU counterparts

Doctors working in Ireland have far fewer patient consultations per year than the EU average, a report shows.

That’s despite there being fewer doctors employed here per head of population than the EU norm, and is contrary to the assumption that doctors would have to see a greater than average number of patients as a result.

The medical workforce analysis, carried out for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, also suggests the country has too many nurses, noting that the numbers employed here are 25% above the EU average.