A chara, – Keith Duggan captured much of the richness of present and past Irish general practice (Weekend Review, October 28th).
This is a particularly timely article given that the strategic review of general practice is due to report to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly later this year.
Many GPs have been unable to source locum cover for annual, illness and bereavement leave. Maternity leave also poses similar challenges.
The British Medical Association has detailed that up to 50 GP surgeries in Northern Ireland are at risk of closure, with 16 contracts having been handed back in the year up to May.
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If the Minister’s strategic review fails to address the locum GP crisis, we risk the same situation arising here as has happened in Northern Ireland.
Dr Rita Doyle in the Weekend Review article outlined how “personal doctoring is time efficient and cost effective and has better outcomes”. Let’s keep it that way. – Is mise,
Dr CATHERINE O’DONOHOE,
Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
