Irish Examiner View: We must plan for the long term when it comes to healthcare

An eventual byproduct of free GP care would be an easing of the intolerable pressures on hospitals currently.

Retaining doctors in Ireland after they’ve finished their training is a problem which will need to be addressed if free GP care is introduced. File Picture: PA Photo/thinkstockphotos

The Economic and Social Research Institute’s latest report is one that truly gives pause for thought. 

Commissioned by the Department of Health, the report offers an estimate of the cost of providing free GP care for the whole population of Ireland in 2026, and comes up with a figure of between €381m and €881m as a final bill for the exchequer.