Newly elected IMO GP Committee Chair, Dr Mary Gray, has revealed that work to establish IMO GP branches in an increased number of locations across the country is underway. The plans come amid dissatisfaction amongst many GPs about a perceived lack of action taken by the IMO in response to issues facing the group. Dr Gray had faced competition from Finglas-based GP Dr Ray Walley for the position, marking the first time in a number of years that the GP chair had been contested.
Speaking to IMN following her election, the Limerick-based GP said that the IMO plans to boost the number of GP branches across the country as there are some locations that have no branch structure. “The GP committee and the IMO’s new industrial relations director, Myles McPartland, are committed to strengthening the branches because we see a robust branch structure as an important conduit in the GP network,” Dr Gray told IMN. As part of the process, the IMO is to begin looking at where GP branches are located in order to identify where improvements need to be made. A GP personal cases unit has received 5,000 queries since it was established by the IMO last June, Dr Gray added.
The cases relate to personal issues impacting GPs such as practice-related and other work matters. She said that data on issues affecting GPs is being collected through the unit and that this will also serve in strengthening methods of communication and information gathering with GPs on the ground. A study focusing on GP workload conducted by the IMO is due to be published in the coming weeks, Dr Gray added. The study examined various work practices in a small number of GP practices and found that while GPs are working extremely hard, they could be working more efficiently. IMN understands that the study recommends a number of ways, such as making improvements in IT infrastructure, through which time and money could be saved in general practice.
