Statement on extreme weather events and climate change

The Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) expresses its concern at the impact of the recent floods on community-based medical facilities, for example in Midleton, and offers its support to the many staff and patients across the country whose lives have been disrupted by the extreme weather events.

The College supports our colleagues who have experienced enormous damage to their premises, businesses and local services, and who have in many cases lost premises that took years, if not decades, to develop. We recognise the impact this has had on the continuity of care for vulnerable patients, and we wish them well in restoring their services and helping their patients.

The impact of climate change is now real. Our changing climate is likely to see an increase in intense rainfall, bringing torrential rains to any community in its wake. These recent events illustrate the urgent need to introduce climate-change mitigation where possible, and the importance of reducing carbon emissions, protecting biodiversity and encouraging everyone to become more planet-friendly in their day-to-day lives.