The healthcare system in Northern Ireland is facing a critical issue: a severe bottleneck in GP access due to the current telephone triage system.

As the primary gatekeeper of medical care, General Practitioners are the first point of contact for patients in need. However, the telephone triage service is creating unnecessary hindrances, leaving many patients without timely access to essential healthcare services.

The telephone triage system, designed to streamline patient flow, is inadvertently causing delays instead. Patients often find themselves waiting for hours on end, trying to speak to a GP receptionist, only to be told that all appointment slots are filled. In many cases, patients cannot even join a queue or request a call back, leaving them with no option but to repeatedly call or give up altogether. This system is putting immense pressure on the populace, especially for chronic condition sufferers and those needing urgent medical attention, leading to increased anxiety and deteriorating health conditions.

Statistics show that Northern Ireland currently has one of the lowest GP-to-patient ratios in the UK, with over 1,500 patients per GP on average. This is alarmingly high compared to the rest of the regions, highlighting an urgent need for intervention to address the imbalance and ensure better healthcare access for all.

We urge the Northern Ireland Assembly to take immediate action by reviewing and overhauling the existing GP access system. This can be achieved by increasing funding to hire more GPs, modernizing the booking systems by moving away from the current reliance on phone-only triage systems, and facilitating face-to-face consultations as required. These steps will ensure that the public can receive timely and appropriate medical care, safeguarding their health and well-being.

This issue has already been formally recognised. In December 2025, the Northern Ireland Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC) produced an Assembly report warning that primary care in Northern Ireland is in crisis and published recommendations to improve access to GP services. However, meaningful action has yet to be taken.

Your support is crucial for us to bring this matter to the attention of policymakers. By signing this petition, you are advocating for a more effective and equitable healthcare system in Northern Ireland.  If you have ever struggled to get through to your GP at 8:30am, your voice matters. Together, we can push for change and remove the barriers preventing people from accessing the care they need.