Over six in 10 GPs not taking on new patients, survey shows
Eva Osborne
Over six in 10 GPs across the country have stopped taking on new patients.
79 of 130 registered GPs surveyed by the Irish Independent have closed their waiting lists completely, as they were already months long or at capacity.
It comes as the country grapples with a surge in winter bugs and respiratory infections.
Speaking to Newstalk, medical director of the Irish College of GPs, Dr Diarmuid Quinlan, said there are a number of reasons why this has happened.
"Ireland now has over 5.1 million people, which is our largest population since the famine," he said.
"We also have an ageing population. The number of older people over 65 has gone up from over 800,000 in the last four years.
"In addition, we still have Covid, we've had the expansion of the medical card scheme in Ireland. While it's very welcome, it does increase GP workload."
