Most of us are fortunate and rarely have to see a doctor, so we don't really think about it, until the time comes when we are sick, feel terrible, and want to see the doctor NOW!
When we are healthy and have no issues, and there is no need to see the doctor, we don't even give doctors, or healthcare in general a second thought. However, it is when you are sick, you feel run down, tired, are in pain, and feverish when healthcare and doctors become your primary priority. You want to see a doctor... NOW!
Our First Impressions
When we first arrived in Ireland, we thought nothing of it. Wherever we went, things just worked, and it happened in the general period people said it would happen. Unlike South Africa where many things are a struggle to get done, especially when dealing with public or government services.
Quite early on my wife had appendicitis and we had to avail of emergency services. Ambulance we new were coming from Kilkenny, but arrived in a shorter time than what is the general experience in South Africa. My wife was stabilized and taken straight to the hospital. The EMT's were brilliant (and not that the ones in South Africa are not. Proficiency and care of the patient for me were the same as in South Africa). I do think that EMT's in South Africa take a lot more abuse from patients than the EMT's here.
Long story short, at the hospital, my wife was quickly stabilized and and within three hours have seen several doctors and were receiving excellent care. We were very impressed and pleasantly surprised that the standard of care in public hospitals in Ireland equaled what we were used to in the private hospitals in South Africa. We were excited and happy that we were going to continue on the same great road and service we are used to in the private health sector in South Africa... or so we thought....
Seeing a General Practitioner (GP)
We found out that finding a GP works a little different in Ireland than in South Africa. Before you can see a GP and schedule an appointment, you need to be registered with that GP. If you are not registered, the GP will not see you unless it is a serious emergency.
In Ireland, by law, GP's are not allowed to have more than 2,000 people on their list. So once a GP reached 2,000 registered patients, they will turn anyone that tries to register with their practice away. The problem in Ireland, most GPs are already at their 2,000 patient limit.
We live out in the "country". Exactly 7km from the three towns around us. Carlow town is one of these. Between the three towns, there are 17 medical practices (with 25+ doctors between them). Only two of the practices are actually taking and registering patients. More about this in another article.
In the last 3+ years, we have only been able to once or twice get an appointment with the doctor same or next day. The remainder of the time, it is an average 2-3 days waiting time to get an appointment with the GP. For example, at the moment my daughter is sick. We suspect it is tonsilitis, but we are not sure. We've done several antigen tests for Covid and they are all negative.
The earliest appointment we can get is 3 days away, and naturally, apart from trying Caredoc or going to the A&E (emergency department at the hospital) we cannot do anything else. She is not sick enough that it warrants a trip to the A&E, which in itself could be a 7+ hour wait with a sick 7-year old girl before even seeing a doctor (Yes, that is the average about wait time. Our shortest wait have been 3-4 hours).
Caredoc the last few times have not even wanted to see us and just referred us straight to the A&E at the hospital. So one gets to a point where you don't even want to try and phone them.
The Good
In general, apart from the struggle initially to find a GP and register, as well as the wait times to see a doctor, the quality of the healthcare is good. It just takes time until you get to see the person that needs to help you.
Apart from one bad practice, our engagement and the service received from other GPs, nurses, staff at the A&E, and pediatrics have been excellent, and on par from what we've experience from private hospitals like Unitas, Wilgers, and Sunninghill in South Africa.
The Bad
The wait time to see a doctor or get an appointment can range from a day or two to five days for GPs, and when we talk about other health consultants, experts, and specialists, it can be months to even years.
The Ugly
Sometimes you cannot find or register with any GPs in your local area and some people are forced to travel up-to 60 km's to register with and see a GP. As the only way to get an appointment with specialists and other medical care outside of GP's is a GP referral, it is unfortunately a process we have to currently go through.
There are times as well where you will find these clinics/practice where you can register, however, each time you go there it is a different doctor and you never see the same doctor twice. For some reason the HSE or the clinic is unable to find doctors and staff that are willing to stay there for more than a week or two, or a few weeks.
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