Finding a GP in Ireland

Joining a practice

A GP is normally the first doctor you see for anything that is not an emergency, and you cannot see a hospital consultant for the first time without a GP referral.^[1] To become a patient you contact a practice directly. A practice whose list is full can decline new patients, in which case you try another one nearby and can move later if a place opens.^[1] You do not need a PPS number or any documents to see a GP as a private patient.^[1]

Services differ between practices, so check that a practice offers what you need before your first visit.^[1] The HSE’s Find a GP service lists practices by place, but it does not say whether a practice is taking new patients.^[2] FairCare only marks a practice as accepting new patients when its own website says so, and shows the date we read it.

Medical card and GP visit card

A medical card gives free GP care, including out-of-hours care, and covers prescribed medicines subject to the prescription charge, public hospital services, and dental, eye and ear checks.^[10] A GP visit card covers GP visits and out-of-hours visits only; hospital charges and medicines are not included.^[6]

Both are means tested for most people under 70 on net income after tax, USC and PRSI. On the figures published by Citizens Information, a single person living alone qualifies for a medical card below €184 a week (under 66) and for a GP visit card below €418 a week; a couple below €266.50 and €607.^[5] Savings up to €36,000 for a single person or €72,000 for a couple are ignored, and the family home is never counted.^[5] People over 70 are assessed on gross income, with a medical card up to €550 a week for a single person or €1,050 for a couple.^[4]

Without a means test: everyone over 70 and every child under 8 can get a GP visit card, as can people getting Carer’s Benefit or Carer’s Allowance.^[6] The quickest way to apply is online at mymedicalcard.ie; the HSE aims to process complete applications within 15 working days.^[4] Plastic cards are not being printed at the moment, so the eligibility letter, or the digital version in the HSE Health App, is your proof.^[4]

GPs who take medical card patients have a contract with the HSE and must treat card holders the same as private patients. If you apply for a card and three practices at different clinics decline you, the HSE will assign a GP.^[3][10]

What a private visit costs

There is no set fee for GP services. Citizens Information puts a standard visit at roughly €45 to €65, with the higher figure in some urban areas, and advises asking about charges before your first visit.^[1] Some services are free to private patients under HSE agreements, for example maternity and infant care, and for some vaccines the vaccine itself is free but the GP’s time is charged.^[1]

Where a practice publishes a fee list on its website, FairCare shows it with the date we read it. Where there is no published list, the profile says so instead of guessing.

Out of hours, injury units and emergencies

GP out-of-hours services cover nights and weekends for all ages and work by appointment only. You phone, a triage nurse rings you back, and you may be given advice, an appointment, a home visit or be sent to hospital. If you do not know your local service, ring your own GP’s number and listen to the recorded message.^[7] It is free with a valid medical card or GP visit card, and charged otherwise.^[7]

For a recent injury such as a sprain, a suspected break below the shoulder or knee, a cut or a minor burn, an HSE injury unit can treat you without an appointment. Most take patients aged 5 and over, some have a higher minimum age. The charge is €75, waived with a medical card or a GP referral letter.^[9] Attending an emergency department without a referral costs €100 unless you are exempt.^[9] In an emergency call 112 or 999.

Your first appointment

The HSE suggests bringing a printed list of your medicines (a pharmacist can print one), your medical card or eligibility letter if you have one, your PPS number, previous test results, and a written list of questions. Make notes on your medical history and ask beforehand if you can bring someone with you.^[8]