GPs and private patients (2024)

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Introduction

This document outlines the services GPs (general practitioners) offer inIreland, how to find a GP and how much it costs to visit a GP in Ireland. Italso covers visiting a GP out of hours and how to make a complaint about aGP.

In Ireland, family doctors are called GPs. A GP is usually the first doctorthat people see about non-emergency illnesses and health issues.

Some GPs provide services only to private patients. You usually have to payto see a GP as a private patient and fees can vary.

You can see a GP free of charge if you are entitled to a medicalcard or a GP visit card.

If you need to see a GP in the evening or at the weekend, you can you cancontact your local GP Out of Hoursservice.

GP services and COVID-19

If you think you might have COVID-19, you should phone your GP. Do not go tothe GP clinic. If you do not have a GP, you can find a GP in yourarea.

Your GP will carry out an assessment over the phone. If your doctor thinksyou need a COVID-19 test, they will arrange the test for you. The GP assessmentand test are free of charge. Read more about Testing and COVID-19.

What services are provided by GPs inIreland?

GPs provide a broad service on all health issues, and may refer you to see aspecialist or hospital consultant if your condition needs furtherinvestigation. You cannot see a consultant for the first time without areferral from a GP.

As well as health consultations, GPs also provide prescriptions formedicine, and offer immunisation and vaccination services. GPs may also providematernity care and family planning services. The range of services on offer canvary between GPs. Contact the GP before your visit to make sure they have theservice you need.

GPs may also now provide abortion services in Ireland. You can findinformation on abortion services in Ireland on myoptions.ie.

How do I find a GP in Ireland?

You can find out which GPs are available in your local area using the HSE’s Health Atlas.Sometimes GP practices have a full list of patients and cannot take on newpatients. In this case, you should go to another GP practice in your area. Youcan transfer to the GP of your first choice at a later date if they starttaking on new patients again.

You do not need a PPS number or other documentation to visit a GP.

How much does it cost to visit the GP?

GPs are usually part of the private healthcare system and so you willusually need to pay charges when you see one. However, adults over 70 andchildren under 6 are entitled to a GP visitcard, which allows them to visit a GP free of charge.

There are no set fees or charges for GP services. To visit a GP you canexpect to pay from around 45 euro up to 65 euro (in some urban areas). Contactyour GP before your first visit to find out about charges.

GPs may provide certain services to private patients free of charge. Forexample, they might provide maternityand infant care services, and immunisation and vaccination services, ifthey have agreements with the HSE.

In the case of some vaccination services (for example, the fluvaccine for at-risk groups), the arrangement for private patients is thatthe vaccine is free of charge but you must pay for the GP’s service.

How do I make a complaint about a GPservice?

The Medical Council protects the interests of the public with regard toregistered medical practitioners and handlescomplaints relating to a medical doctor's fitness to practise medicine.