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Letter of the week: It is consultants, not GPs, who overuse lab tests

I had been expecting to read this story, about the Government's plans to cut the cost of pathology services, for some time. (GPs to be ranked on lab test use)

Is high lab testing due to an over-investigating GP and low activity to the conscientious one, or vice versa? This should be easy for trusts to monitor.

To avoid extra lab work, why can't the hospital send GPs the results of tests that are done by them?

It has been my experience that it is hospital doctors, rather than GPs, who tend to over-request lab tests.

 

From Dr Tom Craig

Co. Tyrone