GPs being overwhelmed by ‘children with runny noses’

Doctors are being overwhelmed by parents bringing in healthy children because of the Government’s free GP care scheme for Under 6s, it has been claimed.

Co Louth GP Dr Ruairi Hanley said children with 'runny noses' are clogging up GP's surgeries.

Speaking on the Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk, Dr Hanley said that other patients with greater needs were losing out on appointments and treatment.

He said a number of measures should be considered by the Government such as introducing a small charge per visit along with a public education programme.

“If we don’t repair this now there are going to be greater problems in the future.”