Dr. Tadhg Crowley:

A new graduate coming out is establishing a business so in the first instance, trying to find a property or premises can be a huge cost before setting up at all. There is also the question of infrastructure, such as computers and various equipment that we now consider normal in general practice. Along with that a GP must employ staff, including secretaries, receptionist and practice managers to make the operation as efficient as possible before starting at all. Patients need to come in the door as well. Starting on day one, without ever having met patients or being known in the locality, it takes time to build up that relationship. At the start, banks certainly are not as forgiving as they may have been 40 or 50 years ago. They are looking for repayments on the loans from the very start. It can be a huge stressor before even starting. In the modern environment, many students are starting with loans before they even open in general practice.