This guide is general information about healthcare in Ireland. It is not a substitute for advice from a doctor who has assessed you. In an emergency, call 112 or 999.
What is an online GP consultation?
An online GP consultation is an appointment with a fully qualified doctor that happens over a video call or a phone call instead of in a surgery. The doctor works to the same professional standards as they would face to face. They take a history, ask questions, decide whether it is safe to manage your problem remotely and agree a plan with you.
Doctors call this telemedicine. Doctors who work this way follow the same rules on consent, confidentiality and record-keeping as in any other consultation.
What can an online GP help with?
Online consultations suit problems where talking, looking and listening are enough to make a safe decision. Common examples include:
- new symptoms that do not need a physical examination, such as urinary symptoms or a sore throat
- rashes and skin problems, often with photos taken in good light
- questions about medicines you already take, side effects or a review of your treatment
- medical certificates for work or college, where the doctor agrees one is appropriate
- a first conversation about low mood, anxiety, stress or sleep
- going through test results or a hospital letter you do not understand
- advice on whether you need a referral, a test or an in-person review
It is also useful when you are travelling, working long hours, caring for someone or simply cannot get a timely appointment with your usual practice.
When an online consultation is not the right choice
Some problems need hands-on care. A doctor may not be able to help remotely if you need an examination such as listening to your chest or examining your tummy, a procedure, an injection, or tests that can only be done in person. Long-term conditions are often best looked after by the GP who knows you and holds your full record.
Call 112 or 999, or go to an emergency department, if someone has: chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech), heavy bleeding, a seizure, has collapsed or is hard to wake, or is at immediate risk of harming themselves. Do not wait for an online appointment.
If your surgery is closed and you urgently need a GP, contact your local GP out-of-hours service. The HSE explains when to use it.
What happens during an online consultation
Every service works a little differently, but most follow the same pattern.
Before
- You choose a video or phone appointment and confirm your identity, age and contact details.
- You answer some questions about your symptoms, medical history, allergies and any medicines you take.
- For skin problems you may be asked to upload photos.
During
- The doctor confirms who you are and where you are, which matters for your safety if they need to arrange urgent help.
- They ask about your symptoms, how long you have had them and what you have tried. On video they may ask to see a rash, your throat or how you are moving.
- They explain what they think is going on, the options and the plan. You should have time to ask questions.
After
- The consultation is written up in a secure clinical record.
- If you need a prescription, it is usually sent securely to the pharmacy you choose.
- You may receive a medical certificate, a referral letter or a request for tests, if the doctor agrees these are appropriate.
- You should be told what to watch out for and what to do if things get worse. Doctors call this safety-netting.
Prescriptions and sick certs after an online consultation
A GP can issue a prescription after a remote consultation when it is clinically appropriate. You then collect and pay for the medicine at a pharmacy in the usual way. Medicines prescribed by a private GP are usually dispensed on a private prescription, so you pay the pharmacy's price even if you have a medical card, because the medical card scheme covers medicines prescribed through your medical card GP. Ask your pharmacist whether the medicine counts towards the Drugs Payment Scheme cap if you have a DPS card. Some medicines are not suitable to start remotely, and controlled drugs have extra legal restrictions. Read how prescriptions work in Ireland.
A medical certificate is a doctor's professional opinion that you are unfit for work for a period of time. An online GP can provide one if they have assessed you and agree, but they cannot simply sign whatever an employer asks for. Read our guide to getting a sick cert in Ireland.
Online GP or your own GP?
An online GP does not replace the practice you are registered with. Your own GP knows your history, holds your full record and is usually the best place for ongoing care, chronic conditions, vaccinations and anything that needs an examination. If you have a medical card or GP visit card, visits to your own GP are free.
An online service can be a useful extra when you need advice quickly, when your practice has no appointments, or when you are away from home. To keep your care joined up, ask for a written summary of each online consultation and share it with your regular GP.
How to choose a safe online GP service
Before you use any online GP service in Ireland, check that:
- You know who the doctors are. A good service tells you who you will be speaking to and what their qualifications are.
- It is clear what the service cannot do, and when it will send you elsewhere.
- Prices are shown up front, including any extra charge for certificates or letters.
- Your information is protected, with a clear privacy policy and secure records.
- You get a written summary and can share it with your own GP.
- There is a plan for follow-up if you do not get better.
Getting ready for your appointment
- Find a quiet, private place with a good phone signal or internet connection.
- Have a list of your medicines and allergies to hand.
- Write down your main symptoms, when they started and your main question.
- If you are asked for photos, take them in daylight and include something for scale.
- Know which pharmacy you would like to use.
Frequently asked questions
Is an online GP consultation as good as seeing a GP in person?
For many everyday problems, yes. A large part of any GP appointment is talking: your symptoms, your history and what you are worried about. That works well by video or phone. Where a doctor needs to examine you, listen to your chest or feel your tummy, a good online GP will say so and tell you where to go.
Can an online GP give me a prescription in Ireland?
A doctor can issue a prescription after a remote consultation if it is safe and appropriate. It is usually sent securely to the pharmacy you choose. Some medicines, such as controlled drugs, are rarely prescribed remotely. Our guide to how prescriptions work in Ireland explains more.
Can I get a sick cert from an online GP?
A GP can give you a medical certificate after a remote consultation if, having assessed you, they think you are not fit for work. A cert is a medical judgement, not a form to fill in, so it is never guaranteed. See our guide to getting a sick cert in Ireland.
Can I use my medical card or GP visit card for an online GP?
Usually not. Medical cards and GP visit cards cover visits to a GP who has a contract with the HSE, normally the practice you are registered with. Private online services generally charge a fee whatever card you hold. Our guide to private GP costs in Ireland covers this.
Will my own GP know about an online consultation?
Only if you or the service tell them. A good online service will give you a written summary and, with your permission, can share it with your regular GP so your records stay complete. It is worth asking about this before your consultation.
What happens if the online GP cannot help?
They should tell you clearly and point you to the right place. That might be your own GP, a pharmacist, a GP out-of-hours service, an emergency department or a specialist referral. Being told you need to be seen in person is a sign of a careful doctor, not a failed appointment.
Sources and further reading
From AccessGP
Checked against official Irish sources. Last checked 5 November 2026.