Out-of-hours general practice care in Ireland: Consultations and emergency department referrals from 2013 to 2022

OOH GP co-operatives provide substantial, adaptive capacity- managing the vast majority of patients within primary care. This study supports the view that OOH co-operatives act as a buffer for EDs and a pressure-release valve for daytime general practice. Routinely collected EMR data can track OOH activity over time and should inform workforce and service planning.