A long-serving north-west rural GP says the key to a good and more equitable health system is to have adequately resourced primary care and GP services.
For this to happen, Blacklion-based Dr Carroll O Dolan says it’s important that GPs are content, that there’s incentives for young doctors and that they don’t burn out.
He says one of the biggest difficulties now for GPs is getting locums to cover for holidays and maternity leave.
Dr O’Dolan was speaking to Ocean FM News after a meeting yesterday between the Irish Medical Organisation and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health about the country’s GP service.
The meeting heard GP numbers are way below what is needed, with up to 1,600 additional GPs required.
Dr O Dolan says adequate GP services and primary care are basic necessities.
