Welcome to Deep End Ireland. We are a group of GPs working in disADVANTAGED AREAS OF IRELAND.

inverse care law

Infographic comparing the amount of patients per GP in an average area (some are 'green'), to those in a disadvantaged area (much higher with more 'red' patients)

The inverse care law states that “The availability of good medical care tends to vary inversely with the need for it in the population served. This inverse care law operates more completely where medical care is most exposed to market forces, and less so where such exposure is reduced. ” i.e. those who most need good health care are the least likely to receive it. In Ireland this is particularly true for General Practice in areas of deprivation. There are more patients per GP in areas of deprivation. These patients have significantly higher needs than patients in more affluent areas resulting in poorer quality of care.
Tudor Hart, J. (1971). "The Inverse Care Law". The Lancet.

Health equality vs equity

Health equality means equal provision of services. Health equity results in services being provided based on need and not just on a per capita basis. Currently in Ireland there is a flat distribution of many public services across the country despite there being a greater need for services in more deprived communities. Deep End Ireland advocates for distribution of resources based on need. Image ©2017 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation