Long GP appointment delays will be 'new normal', says IMO

Dr Denis McCauley of the Irish Medical Organisation said 'general practice is reponsive, but just can't cope with this demand'. Picture: North West Newspix

Patients facing long delays for a GP appointment will be the new normal in a “politically made” health crisis, a GP representative body has warned.

As hospital consultants claim patients are avoiding emergency departments due to chronic overcrowding, the Irish Medical Organisation’s GP committee chairman, Dr Denis McCauley, said general practice is also struggling to cope with existing patient demand.