(01) 8308963 info@pomas.ie

NEW FREE Digital GP Service for POMAS Members

Fast access to GP Consultations for advice and prescriptions via Video or Phone

We can’t plan when we get sick, but when we do, it’s reassuring to know you can get advice from an Irish registered doctor any time, day or night.

Register Here

With this new Digital GP service delivered by Centric Health for POMAS, you can access advice and support from Irish-based doctors and get fast prescriptions for certain conditions, referrals as well as sick certificates. All of this is included as part of your membership at no extra cost.

We understand that sometimes it is difficult to get an appointment for you, or your family members with your own GP at short notice, so it helps to be able to speak to a doctor in a prompt manner. That’s why we give you access to video or phone consultations with Centric Health’s Irish based GPs.

You can get prescriptions sent directly to your preferred pharmacy, a referral letter and a sick certificate where appropriate.

The Digital GP service is accessible between 7am – 12 Midnight, 7 days a week, 364 days a year (not available on Christmas Day). This new Digital GP service offers members free GP consultations which are delivered both over a video call or phone, and consultations will be available within 48 hrs of booking an appointment.

The Registration Process

You can register for this Digital GP service by clicking on the secure link HERE

In order for dependants to avail of this service, you, as the main POMAS member will be required to initiate the registration process, and a link will be sent to the respective dependant to allow them to register.

After registering for the service, you can either book online or book ongoing Digital GP appointments over the phone on your dedicated phone line – 01 2655000

For any queries or difficulties either registering or making a booking, please email the Centric helpdesk on centricgpsupport@centrichealth.ie

What can I use this new Digital GP service for?

The Digital GP service is suitable for a range of everyday health related issues, however, there are certain conditions that are not appropriate for this service. Please see detailed below a list of what is suitable and what isn’t:

Suitable conditions:

  • General medical advice
  • Coughs, colds, chest infections
  • Minor Aches and Pains
  • Urinary infections
  • Mild nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
  • Minor Stomach Upsets
  • Travel advice
  • Medication advice
  • Sore Throats
  • Mild ear and nose complaints
  • STI Symptoms
  • Prescription Service
  • Sick certificate (A video call with the GP is required for serving members)

Unsuitable conditions

  • Broken or suspected broken bones
  • Severe health conditions (breathing issues, chest pain, abdominal pain etc.)
  • Eye infections or injuries
  • Conditions that require physical examination
  • Where a test is required such as Blood Pressure or Blood tests
  • Where referral for diagnostics is required e.g. scans, imaging, MRI etc.
  • Requests for controlled medications like sleeping tablets, opiates or z-drugs

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Registration & Booking Process
How do I register for the Digital GP service?
  • You will receive an email notification to introduce the new Digital GP service and explain how you can register via a secure link.
    (My Centric app)
  • You will receive an email verification to complete your registration.
  • Once registered, you can initiate the registration for your dependants, and they will be sent a separate registration link.
How do I book an appointment?
  • In order to book an appointment, log in to the My Centric app, click on the booking appointment tile and select the most suitable slot available.
  • You can also book your Digital GP appointment over the phone (01 2655000)
When can I expect my consultation to take place?
  • Online and phone consultations are available from 7am – Midnight (7 days a week)
  • We will try and provide a time and date that is convenient for you where possible, normally within 48 hours, however please note availability may vary slightly during peak times.
Can I choose to speak to a male or female GP?
  • Yes, but this may delay the availability of an appointment, so if you want a prompt appointment, it is better to choose the next available slot.
Can I choose a video consultation as well as a phone consultation?
  • You can choose a telephone or video consultation with the GP.
  • If you choose a phone consultation, the digital doctor will ring you on the mobile number you give when booking your appointment.
  • If you choose a video consultation, you will be sent an email with a link to click on and the video consultation will then take place.
Is there a limit on the number of consultations I can have?
  • Reasonable use of this service is expected of Members to ensure equity & availability for the entire membership.
Can I have a consultation for my family too?
  • Yes, this service is available for your dependants too.
Clinical-related Issues
What happens if the GP recommends that I need to have a physical GP consultation because my symptoms require a physical examination?
  • A key part of this service is that we can arrange for you to see one of Centric Health’s GP’s in one of our clinics located across the country
  • If you wish to choose this option, a member of our patient care team will contact you and offer you an appointment at a conveniently located clinic close to where you live or work.
  • If you have your own GP and you would prefer to see him/her for your physical examination, please arrange that appointment yourself.
Can I call in emergencies?
  • You must not use the service for emergencies or urgent conditions as this may delay necessary treatment. Contact emergency services on 112 please.
Can the GP issue a prescription?
  • Yes, where clinically appropriate, prescriptions are issued and sent directly to the patient’s nominated pharmacy.
  • Our patient care team aims to process prescriptions on the same day, but this is influenced by the opening hours of the pharmacy and the time of the consultation.
Can the GP issue repeat prescriptions?
  • In line with clinical best practice guidelines for remote prescribing, our GPs are unable to issue long-term, repeat medication.
  • Should you require repeat prescription medication, it is in your best interests to be seen by your regular GP.
  • Our GPs can offer advice on the medication you are taking and may be able to offer short-course medication depending on the symptoms presented.
Can your GPs issue sick certificates?
  • If it is clinically appropriate, the Digital GP can issue a sick certificate, but your employer requires a video call for a sick certificate to be acceptable for serving members.
  • If your employer requires a social welfare certificate, this can only be issued after a physical GP appointment, so you will have to escalate to a physical GP appointment for a social welfare certificate.
Can the GP issue referrals to specialists?
  • Should the GP feel that you would benefit from seeing a consultant or specialist, they can provide you with a private referral letter, but again, the preference for any private referral is after the GP physically sees the patient in person, and therefore referrals are normally arranged only after the escalated appointment is made.
Once I have a physical escalated appointment arranged in one of the five Centric practices, does that mean that I am registered with that practice?
  • Yes, you are now registered at that practice and for any further non-digital doctor appointments, you can contact that practice directly yourself as a private patient.
  • However, there may be delays in getting an appointment if you go directly to the practice, especially during the autumn/winter period.
How long will it take to get an escalated physical GP appointment after the digital one?
  • We try to arrange an appointment within 48 – 72 hours, but please note availability may vary during peak times.
How do you recruit your GPs? What qualifications do the doctors have?
  • Our doctors are recruited via a rigorous interview process through our HR vetting and clinical team, which ensures that GPs are qualified, experienced, and knowledgeable to an equivalent standard to your own GP. Our minimum criteria require that our GPs:
    • are currently practising as a GP in Ireland and have at least 2 years’ experience
    • have a Bachelor of Medicine Degree and are registered by the Irish Medical Council
    • are members of the Irish College of General Practitioners and are Garda-vetted
    • Provide complete document evidence that they are suitably qualified
    • Provide at least 2 references to support their skills and experiences
Data security & confidentiality
How are data and records stored?
  • All patient data and records are stored on our patient management system, in a secure data centre which is only accessible with multifactor authentication by authorised personnel.
Is the service confidential?
  • Patient confidentiality is very important, any records remain confidential.
  • Our GPs follow clear guidelines about sharing clinical notes with the patient’s own GPs; when appropriate and with the patient’s explicit consent, we send any relevant medical notes, including consultation notes for any prescriptions or referrals issued, to the patient’s own GP.
How long will my personal data be held on the systems?
  • Clinical records are held in accordance with the HSE recommended retention periods for general practice and telehealth records.
  • In all cases, records would be maintained for a minimum of ten years.
Technical Issues
If I am not able to register or make a booking, who do I contact and how long will it take for them to contact me?
  • The online booking app is a very user-friendly and reliable platform.
  • If you have any difficulties either during the registration process or the appointment booking process, please contact us at centricgpsupport@centrichealth.ie or 01 2655000 and one of our patient care team will respond to your query.