Yep, the GP's get a payment of €30 for every phone consult they (claim) to do. It's a good job they are professionals and therefore not subject to the same human frailties as the rest of us or such a lose and unverifiable procedure would be open to rampant abuse.As far as I know, every GP is doing phone consults before having people turn up in the surgery and will only see you if he deems it necessary. Certainly not the case that you have to have a test before seeing the doctor. Obviously they will ask you questions and if there is doubt, they won't see you.