Irish College of General Practitioners warns of growing pressures on GPs as demand for COVID-19 testing increases
Increased restrictions necessary but concerns about impact on mental health
18th September 2020 – The Irish College of General Practitioners, the training education and professional body for GPs in Ireland, has welcomed the new restrictions aimed at reducing the growing spread of COVID-19 cases, but has warned that GPs are experiencing significant extra pressures in their practices.
The ICGP’s Clinical Lead on COVID-19, Dr Nuala O’Connor, said: “The increased cases, especially in Dublin, are of major concern to all of us working in healthcare, and we support the new restrictions. We are asking people to limit their social contacts. We are asking people to live their lives – just differently.“
“Dublin numbers have increased ten-fold in the past two months. If this continues, we won’t be able to continue to protect our older population and those who are medically vulnerable who run the risk of a more severe course and higher risk of dying from COVID-19.
“We will struggle to keep the virus out of hospitals, nursing homes, or direct provision centres or workplaces. We want our schools and colleges to stay open.
“We don’t want to return to the situation in March, but we now know the most effective way to beat the virus and keep the numbers down.”
The Chairman of the ICGP, Dr John Farrell, said: “Since the schools re-opened, there has been a very significant increase in calls to GPs seeking tests and re-assurance. Our members in practices all over the country are working flat-out to meet demand. We are asking the public to be patient with us, and understand that our practice nurses, administrative staff and ourselves are working under trying conditions. We know people are anxious about their families and their livelihoods in this pandemic.”
The ICGP’s COVID-19 Adviser, Dr Mary Favier, tsaid “As GPs, we understand that this new way of living has been very hard on the younger generation; they’re losing out on lots of things we have all taken for granted such as social life, sports and being with their friends and peers. We know this is set to continue and we urge them to talk to someone and seek help if they are feeling anxious or low.”
ENDS Issued by: Aileen O’Meara, Communications Consultant ICGP. Tel. 01 2542984 / 087 2239830
Email: Media@icgp.ie Twitter @ICGPnews