In short

More news in brief.

More news in brief.

Survey finds GPs willing to make changes

Almost two-thirds of the State's doctors have said they are willing to make changes in their practices following a survey which saw more than 3,000 patients assess their GPs' performances, writes Steven Carroll.

The survey, conducted by the Irish Medical Council, covered non-clinical competencies such as communication, access to the surgeries and the service received from their doctor.

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The council said the survey showed that Irish doctors are performing just as well as their international colleagues.

A total of 147 GPs were assessed by patients, non-medical colleagues and fellow doctors. Six non-clinical domains of competency and the performance of doctors in their work were assessed.

They included the ability to relate to patients, communication and interpersonal skills, collaboration and teamwork, management skills, scholarship and professionalism.

The council said "many useful lessons" could be taken from the survey and that the contribution and feedback from the patients who had participated had been acknowledged by GPs.

Shot man made way to station

A 32-year-old man who was shot and injured in Co Kildare made his way to a Garda station after he was shot in the arm as he sat in the car park of a restaurant in Ballintogher, Monasterevin, at about 11.30pm on Tuesday.

A large silver saloon car was involved in the incident, according to gardaí.

The car, which it is understood was driven erratically, arrived at the scene from the Monasterevin direction and left in the direction of Ballybrittas.

Gardaí search for murder case car

Detectives conducting a murder inquiry into the fatal shooting of a man in Co Cavan are searching for a car they believe was involved in the incident, write Steven Carroll and Seamus Enright.

Darren McGrath (31), a native of the Mahon area of Co Cork, was shot dead in front of his partner as he slept at their home in the Kilconny Estate, in Belturbet in the early hours of Tuesday.

The victim was shot a number of times by a gunman who broke into the house while an accomplice waited outside.

Both men then made their escape in a waiting getaway car.

Kerry man (58) climbs Everest

A 53-year-old Kerry man telephoned his wife yesterday to inform her that he had just climbed to the summit of the world's highest mountain, writes Anne Lucey.

John Dowd from Waterville in south Kerry, who is the training officer for the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team, reached the summit of Mount Everest at 1am.