Abstract
Background
In 1996, Irish accident and emergency (A&E) departments had approximately 1.2 million visits. General practitioners (GPs) have been shown to work efficiently in A&E.
Aim
This study aimed to describe the current A&E structures in Ireland and the potential contribution of general practice.
Method
Questionnaires were sent to all 43 Irish A&E departments seeking information on staffing levels, training posts and interest in the role of GPs within the department.
Results
Thirty-four (79%) hospitals responded, representing at least 71% of all A&E visits. Eleven (32%) had A&E consultants. In 16 (47%) hospitals the A&E department was supervised by other consultants; in 14 supervision was for five hours per week or less. Seven hospitals had no consultant supervision. Twenty-six (76%) had NCHDs assigned to the department. Only 11% of NCHDs were in training in A&E medicine. Six departments employed GPs but 28 said they would like to do so. Most wished GPs to see non-urgent cases but one-third wished them to see all cases. Current staffing levels had little relationship with departmental workload.
Conclusions
The limited consultant supervision and small numbers of NCHDs in training for A&E medicine raise concerns about staffing. Most hospitals want GPs to work in their A&E departments. This has implications for training and for the interface between general practice and the A & E department.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Murphy AW, Bury G, Plunkett PK et al. Randomised controlled trial of general practitioner versus usual medical care in an urban accident and emergency department: process, outcome and comparative cost.BMJ 1996; 312: 1135–42
Dale J, Green J, Reid F, Glucksman E, Higgs R. Primary care in the accident and emergency department: II. Comparison of general practitioners and hospital doctors.BMJ 1995; 311: 427–30
Ward P, Huddy J, Hargreaves S, Touquet R, Hurley J, Fothergill J. Primary care in London: an evaluation of general practitioners working in an inner city accident and emergency department.J Acrid Emerg Med 1996; 13: 11–15
Gibney D, Murphy AW, Barton D, Bury G, Smith M, Langton-Burke D. Randomised controlled trial of general practitioner versus usual medical care in a suburban accident and emergency department using an informal triage system.Br J Gen Pract 1999; 49: 43–4
Murphy AW, Plunkett P, Bury G, Leonard C, Walsh J, Lynam F, Johnson Z. Effect of seeing a sessional general practitioner in an A&E department on A&E reattendance over a two year period. BMJ 2000; 320: 903–4
Department of Health. Annual attendance at public OPD and A&E departments. Dublin, 1999.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bury, G., Hungerford, P., Langton, D. et al. A & E services in Ireland: the potential role of general practice in accident and emergency services. Ir J Med Sci 169, 245–247 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03173524
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03173524