An unpublished finding, from a study of 100 patients of the Mater Hospital pain management service, has shown that more than 90% of patients with whiplash attending a Dublin pain management clinic failed to return for more treatment once their legal action was finished.

The finding is quoted in a paper by two leading neurosurgeons as proof that Ireland is experiencing “a whiplash epidemic”.

Well, what do the GPs think, who are often the first port of call for those who suffer a whiplash style injury?

Brendan O’Shea is Adjunct Professor for general practice in Trinity College and Family Doctor in Kildare, and told Ivan why it's an issue created by the legal profession.