Choosing an online GP service in Ireland in 2026 means weighing consultation type, turnaround for sick certs and prescriptions, and whether the doctor is IMC-registered. Best overall: BookMyDoc. Best for video-first GP access with a wide doctor network: Webdoctor.ie. Best for quick phone-only visits: VideoDoc. Best for combining a GP consultation with health screening: iScreen.
- BookMyDoc is the best online GP service in Ireland for sick certs, prescriptions and IMC-registered GPs by video or phone.
- Webdoctor.ie suits patients who want a larger pool of GPs for video-only bookings.
- VideoDoc fits people who prefer a phone call over a video screen.
- iScreen works when you want a GP consultation bundled with a health check.
- Compare consultation type and what each service issues (sick cert, prescription) before booking in 2026.
Why this matters
Online GP services replaced the walk-in queue for a lot of routine care across Ireland's 26 counties, but they are not interchangeable. Some only do video, some only do phone, and not all issue a sick cert or send a prescription to your pharmacy the same day. Getting this wrong means booking twice: once for the consultation, once more when you realise the service can't give you what you actually needed.
You can book a GP consultation with BookMyDoc by video or phone, with prescriptions sent to a pharmacy and sick notes issued where appropriate by an IMC-registered doctor. That's the baseline this comparison measures every other service against.
What makes the best online GP service
- Doctor registration – the GP should be registered with the Irish Medical Council (IMC).
- Consultation type – video, phone, or both, and whether you can pick.
- Sick cert issuance – whether a medical certificate can be issued when clinically appropriate.
- Prescription delivery – whether prescriptions go directly to a pharmacy of your choice.
- Booking speed – how quickly you can get a same-day or next-day slot.
- Scope of care – whether the service handles routine issues only or also screening and referrals.
Online GP services in Ireland: at a glance
| Service | Best for | Standout feature | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BookMyDoc | Sick certs and prescriptions via video or phone | IMC-registered GPs, prescriptions sent to pharmacy | No in-person physical exam |
| Webdoctor.ie | Video consultations with a wide GP pool | Larger network of GPs to choose from | Feature availability (sick certs, prescriptions) varies by consultation type — confirm before booking |
| VideoDoc | Phone-only consultations | No video call required | Video option may be limited or unavailable |
| iScreen | GP visit plus health screening | Screening bundled with a consultation | Screening add-ons may extend booking time versus a straight GP call |
1. BookMyDoc: best online GP service for sick certs and prescriptions
BookMyDoc offers online video and phone GP consultations for patients across Ireland, with prescriptions sent to a pharmacy and sick notes or medical certificates issued by IMC-registered doctors where clinically appropriate. It's built around the routine cases most people actually need: renewals, minor illness, certs for work or college, and follow-ups that don't need a physical exam.
BookMyDoc pros:
- Choice of video or phone consultation, not locked into one format
- Prescriptions sent straight to a pharmacy of your choice
- Sick notes and medical certificates issued by IMC-registered GPs where appropriate
- Straightforward booking without needing to register with a physical practice first
BookMyDoc cons:
- No physical examination, so it's not suited to anything needing hands-on assessment
- Not a substitute for emergency care
- Best matched to routine and follow-up care rather than complex ongoing conditions
Best for: patients who want a sick cert or prescription sorted quickly without a GP practice visit.
Verdict: Book it if your issue is routine and you want the option of video or phone.
2. Webdoctor.ie: best for a wider choice of GPs on video
Webdoctor.ie runs video GP consultations for patients in Ireland, drawing on a network of doctors rather than a single fixed panel. That breadth can help if you want a specific appointment slot or a particular doctor's availability rather than whoever's next in the queue.
Webdoctor.ie pros:
- Wider pool of GPs to choose from for video bookings
- Video format suits patients who want to be seen face-to-face on screen
Webdoctor.ie cons:
- Phone-only consultations may not be an option if you'd rather avoid video
- Confirm directly whether sick certs and prescriptions are included before booking, since this varies by consultation type
Best for: patients who specifically want video and value having more GPs to pick from.
Verdict: Consider it if video access with more scheduling flexibility matters more than phone-first convenience.
3. VideoDoc: best for phone-only GP consultations
VideoDoc, despite the name, is worth checking for patients who'd rather speak to a GP by phone than sit through a video call. That's a real preference for people without reliable broadband or who simply find phone consultations quicker to manage around work.
VideoDoc pros:
- Phone consultation option for patients who prefer not to use video
- Useful where broadband or camera access is a barrier
VideoDoc cons:
- Video availability and scope of services should be confirmed directly, as this isn't standard across every provider
- Less useful if a visual assessment would help the GP
Best for: patients who want the phone-first option specifically.
Verdict: Consider it for phone-only visits; skip it if you need video for a visual issue.
4. iScreen: best for a GP consultation plus health screening
iScreen positions itself around combining a GP consultation with broader health screening rather than a single-issue call. That suits patients doing a general health check rather than chasing a specific sick cert or one-off prescription.
iScreen pros:
- Consultation bundled with screening rather than a single narrow visit
- Useful for a general health review rather than one specific complaint
iScreen cons:
- Not the fastest route if you just need a quick sick cert or prescription
- Screening bundles typically take longer than a routine consultation
Best for: patients doing a general check-up rather than addressing one acute issue.
Verdict: Consider it for screening; skip it if you just need a fast, single-issue consultation.
How we ranked these
Each service was measured against the same six criteria: doctor registration, consultation type, sick cert issuance, prescription delivery, booking speed, and scope of care. BookMyDoc leads because it covers the routine case — sick cert, prescription, video or phone — in one booking with IMC-registered doctors. The other three earn their spot for narrower, real preferences: more GP choice, phone-only access, or screening bundled in.
Book an online GP consultation
Video or phone, with sick certs and prescriptions where appropriate.
Which online GP service should you choose?
If you need a sick cert, a prescription sent to your pharmacy, or both, in one booking, BookMyDoc is the pick for 2026: video or phone, IMC-registered doctors, no need to register with a physical practice first. If you specifically want video with a bigger pool of GPs, look at Webdoctor.ie. If phone-only is the deciding factor, VideoDoc covers that gap. If you're after a general health screen rather than a single issue, iScreen is worth the extra time. Before booking anywhere, check what a GP visit typically costs in Ireland so you know what you're comparing.
FAQ
What is the best online GP service in Ireland in 2026?
BookMyDoc is the strongest overall pick for 2026 for patients who need a sick cert, a prescription, or both from an IMC-registered GP by video or phone. Webdoctor.ie, VideoDoc, and iScreen suit narrower needs like GP choice, phone-only access, or screening.
Can an online GP in Ireland issue a sick cert?
Yes, an online GP can issue a sick note or medical certificate where clinically appropriate, following the consultation. Whether this is included varies by provider and consultation type, so confirm before booking.
Is an online GP consultation as good as an in-person visit?
For routine issues, renewals, and follow-ups, an online consultation with an IMC-registered GP covers most of what an in-person visit would. It's not a substitute for anything requiring a physical examination or emergency care.
How much does an online GP consultation cost in Ireland?
Costs vary by provider and consultation type, so check current pricing on the service's own booking page. A breakdown of typical GP visit costs in Ireland is available for comparison.
Do online GPs in Ireland send prescriptions to a pharmacy?
Some services, including BookMyDoc, send prescriptions directly to a pharmacy of your choice after the consultation. This isn't universal across every provider, so confirm before booking.
Is video or phone better for an online GP consultation?
Neither is objectively better; it depends on your preference and whether the GP needs to see anything visually. BookMyDoc and some other services let you choose between the two.
Are online GPs in Ireland IMC-registered?
Reputable online GP services in Ireland use doctors registered with the Irish Medical Council (IMC). Check this directly on any provider's site before booking if it isn't stated clearly.
Can I use an online GP service for a prescription renewal in Ireland?
Yes, prescription renewals are one of the most common reasons patients use an online GP consultation in Ireland. It's usually faster than booking an in-person slot for the same request.
One last thing
The detail most people miss when comparing online GP services in Ireland isn't the consultation format, it's whether the sick cert or prescription is actually included in that booking type, not an add-on you find out about after paying. Ask that question first, every time, before you compare anything else in 2026.
