Public patients in Ireland face much longer waits than their private counterparts for often vital hospital tests, a new study has shown.

The national survey of nearly 300 GPs found that their private patients only had to wait an average of four days for an ultrasound test whereas their public patients had to wait on average 14 weeks for this test, where direct access for their patients was available.

For CT scans, there was an average 16 week wait for public patients, whereas in the private system the wait for these scans was on average only 5.5 working days.

Public patients referred by their GPs for MRI scans have to wait on average 22 weeks, whereas private patients can get these scans done within seven working days, according to the study carried out by the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP).

For dexa scans, used to detect bone conditions such as osteoporosis, the average wait for public patients is 24 weeks compared to less than seven working days for private patients.

It was found that most of the GPs surveyed had quick, direct access to private hospitals and clinics for diagnostic tests for their patients. For public patients, many Gps did not have direct access, and even where direct access was available, there were long waits for patients.

Direct access to tests means that GPs do not have to refer patients through a hospital consultant, which can lead to lengthy waits for tests as the patient is processed through the system.

However, the report found that even where GPs had direct access to tests for public patients, the waiting lists were unacceptably long.

The length of waiting lists for public patient tests tended to vary from area to area, the study found.

Many doctors, the study found, often have to refer public patients to overcrowded emergency departments in order to bypass diagnostic testing waiting lists.

Waiting lists for public patients seeking tests often stretched to 18 months, the study found.

The study concluded that access to diagnostics for public patients is unacceptably long and patients should get these tests carried out quickly regardless of ability to pay.

The ICGP says better access to diagnostics for GPs and their patients will lead to a reduction in diagnostic delay, a reduction in the number of unnecessary referrals to outpatients and EDs and will cut unnecessary hospital admissions.

Commenting on the results, ICGP Medical Director Dr Margaret O'Riordan said the current system where patents have access to tests based on ability pay rather than on need was not appropriate.

The report said Irish GPs are highly trained specialists who are currently constrained in their ability to deliver a quality patient service to patients due to limited access to diagnostics in the public system.

The survey was presented at the annual conference of the ICGP in Galway.