Sir, – Vaccine administration is just one small component of the average GP’s skillset. Many other healthcare professionals and indeed members of the wider community can be quickly and safely trained in vaccine administration.
In the wake of the Omicron variant discovery, GPs have once again received orders to cancel patient appointments and to concentrate their efforts on vaccine delivery instead.
While the rollout of the booster programme is of utmost importance to prevent the health service becoming even more overwhelmed, one must consider whether diverting GPs from their routine work is the most efficient way of achieving this.
Almost daily we hear overburdened hospitals issue pleas for patients to avoid emergency departments and to contact their GP if they don’t require urgent care, but we cannot be surprised that increasing numbers continue to present to emergency departments for non-emergent healthcare needs when they are unable to access primary care.
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Ramping up training in vaccine administration for other healthcare professionals and indeed students in related areas would likely be just as effective and would enable GPs to continue delivering high-quality routine care. – Yours, etc,
Dr ORLA HARNEY,
Carlow.
Sir, – GPs can take a greater role in vaccination booster shots only at the expense of other work, the same displacement as has been happening for close on two years with hospital appointments.
There is no excuse for the Government’s failure – once again – to do basic planning.
The dogs in the street knew the Covid virus would mutate. All viruses do.
Ministers should stop tweeting and start governing. – Yours, etc,
GARETH SMYTH,
Louisburgh,
Co Mayo.