Many patients attend A&E without first seeing GP - study

A study commissioned by the Health Service Executive has reportedly found that many people attending A&E units around the country are doing so without first seeing a GP.

Reports this morning said research at a number of hospitals found that roughly half of A&E patients had not seen a GP before attending an accident and emergency department.

The research was commissioned to determine the causes of A&E overcrowding.

Other causes included delayed discharges due to consultants doing rounds late in the day and the fact that some patients are not seen by specialists for several days.