Doctors hit back at ESRI numbers on free GP care

IMO and NAGP query figure of 3% increase

Waiting lines in doctors surgeries may increase after the introduction of free GP care Pic: iStock

GPs have hit back at a new ESRI report that forecasts free GP care will increase patient visits by about 3 per cent – considerably less than the double-digit figure cited in a previous and widely used study.

Both the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) and the National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP) questioned the methodology used by the ESRI.

The last government introduced free GP care at the point of access to under-6s ...