The isolated reconfiguration of hospital services by the Government is unlikely to be successful and will lead to increased costs to the Exchequer and a less equitable health service, a leading GP has warned.
Dr Richard Brennan, chairman of the Irish College of General Practitioners, highlighted the considerable difficulties in finding GPs to fill General Medical Service (GMS) list appointments and in retaining the commitment of young GPs. Speaking at the annual meeting of the ICCP, he said: "The existing GMS contract is no longer acceptable to young GPs. It is outdated and does not facilitate their lifestyle needs and aspirations, especially for young female GPs, who currently fill over 70 per cent of GP training positions.
"The needs of these young doctors must be addressed if they are to remain in general practice."
In a reference to the current crisis in the health system, Dr Brennan said it was "more a political crisis in health than a health crisis". But a serious GP and community crisis also exists which "if not addressed will exaggerate the hospital crisis and lead to a health crisis," he added. Research has shown that patients have lower rates of consultations and lower costs of care when family doctors are the initial source of care for patients, Dr Brennan said.
He noted a 1998 study, which examined the input of primary care in 12 European and North American states, that documented an association between highly developed systems of primary care and lower health costs combined with a greater life expectancy for patients.
Dr Paul Armstrong, a GP in Lifford, Co Donegal, whose practice is one of 10 primary care implementation projects funded by the Department of Health, told The Irish Times that patients there would see tangible benefits by the end of the summer.
"Improved psychological services and better access to physiotherapy and community occupational therapy from a single point of care will be reality," he said.
Mr Stephen McMahon, chairman of the Irish Patients' Association, said at a symposium on the quality and value for money of GP care that there was a need for patients and doctors to work together to achieve patient-centred health care. Outlining practical methods by which family doctors could empower patients, he said: "Let patients read their prescriptions, ask them do they understand the do's and don'ts of medication and invite them to cross-check that what they are dispensed is what you asked for."
Mr McMahon also called for a non-punitive system for the reporting of medication errors.
Referring to the Minister for Health, Mr Martin's concession that a Fianna Fáil promise to end waiting lists within two years would not now be met, the IPA chairman asked: "If the time line is allowed to drift on this target, how many other key reforms will not happen?"