Dr. Brian Osborne:

Dr. Niall Sheehy, the HSE's clinical lead in radiology, carried out a study in St James's Hospital last year on direct access to ultrasound for GPs. He noted there was a 30% pick-up rate regarding pathology. There was a reduction in the number of patients referred to accident and emergency services and to outpatient departments. It makes sense to give GPs access to diagnostic facilities in the community for their patients.