GP crisis puts pressure on private sector readiness

Northern Ireland’s GPs are signalling a breaking point. Chronic underfunding, rising workloads, and a disputed £9.5m funding package—rejected by 99.6% of GPs—have led some practitioners to warn of a mass shift from public to private healthcare. With general practice handling over 90% of NHS consultations yet receiving less than 5% of the budget, the current model is losing ground. One veteran GP paints a stark picture: thousands of calls a week, endless delays, and growing inequality in access. As early-career GPs lose faith in the NHS, the private sector must be ready to absorb demand and offer sustainable care pathways.

Read the full article for insights on how this shift could reshape private healthcare.