Dr. Peter Boylan:

There are a few things, and one is better availability of diagnostics for GPs. It is ludicrous that a GP has to refer a patient to a hospital to an outpatient clinic to assess whether they need a scan, MRI or other test. They are seen by a junior doctor and the process can take months. If GPs had direct access to better diagnostic facilities, as they do in other countries, that would be enormously helpful.

There is a capacity issue. There are clearly not enough beds in the hospital system. Staffing is another major issue.

One thing that could certainly be improved is the access to diagnostics for GPs working in the community. If the committee would like, the institute can prepare a paper and appear before the Committee on the Future of Healthcare.