My sincere apology to all GPs

I WONDER if I might offer a sincere apology to all the general practitioners of Ireland to whom I caused such offence with my media comments last week, including on the pages of this paper.

In trying to draw attention to the issue of so-called “inappropriate” referrals to over-crowded hospital emergency departments, it was not my intention to suggest or assert that GPs were generically idle, indolent or lazy.

Unfortunately, that is precisely the impression which so many (former) friends in general practice clearly formed, so it is plain that my incoherently, and clumsily expressed observations were — entirely unintentionally — highly insulting. I wish to offer my sincerest regrets for this unforgiveable message or “portrayal”. Those who know me will realise that I continue — hopefully more courteously — to be at their service, in the case of any accident or emergency.