THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of GPs has been discussing hospital admissions and pressure on their services at its annual conference in Limerick today.
According to the organisation, patients with heart conditions, diabetes and other serious problems are being sent back to their local doctor, instead of being admitted to hospital.
“What we’re starting to see recently is that patients are now being discharged directly from Emergency Departments and haven’t made it in to be admitted to hospital,” association president Dr Conor McGee told RTÉ News.
“These are patients that require hospitalisation.
“As GPs, we’re starting to see that there are a number of people who are at home who clearly should be in hospital, and unfortunately a lot of people who are in hospital who should be at home
This is increasing the pressure on GPs trying to deliver services.
This weekend’s meeting is the association’s second AGM since it was relaunched in 2013.
Topics like asthma, heart failure, diabetes and primary care surgery are also being discussed. This afternoon, members are also getting a lecture on ‘medical negligence from a GP’s perspective’.
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