PRESS RELEASE New analysis of GP workforce data matched to population increases shows that GP numbers are not keeping pace with rapidly growing population, and that rural areas have significant GP deficits.
Innovative incentives are required to address GP workforce shortages.
(24th August 2024) The Irish College of GPs* is the professional body for general practice in Ireland. The College is the representative organisation for education, training and standards in general practice, with 4,500 members and associates comprising over 85% of practicing GPs in the Republic of Ireland and 1,191 GPs in training.
The College has analysed the recently published Workforce Intelligence Report 2023 from the Medical Council, which gives a comprehensive picture of the GP workforce.
The College has used Medical Council data and its own internal data, and matched it against the most recent (2022) population growth figures. It shows that the GP workforce is not expanding fast enough to meet growing demand. In the map in Figure 1, the College shows GP supply per 100,000 population, with areas of low supply in red.
Table 1 details the GP headcounts for each county from the Medical Council Workforce reports from 2022 and 2023, which allows calculation of the percentage growth in GPs in each county. The right-most column shows the number of GPs per 100,000 population in each county.
Dr Mike O’Callaghan, Clinical Research Lead with the Irish College of GPs, said: “We have matched the Medical Council data with population data, to highlight counties where the GP workforce is not keeping pace with population increase. Table 1 below shows that there was a 3.1% increase in population last year, and a 0.6% rise in GP numbers. “
Dr O’Callaghan added: “In addition, from Figure 1, (below) many counties (Meath, Monaghan, Kilkenny, Laois, Kildare, Clare, Leitrim) clearly have a deficit in their GP numbers. It seems that the pull of urban areas extends to the GP workforce as much as it does to the general population. Strong incentives and innovative solutions are required to ensure existing and new rural practices are supported into the future.”
Table 1 – GP supply (Medical council) and Population figures (CSO) and GP per 100k Population SEE BELOW
Dr Deirdre Collins, the Chair of the Board of the Irish College of GPs, said: “The College has warned of these GP shortages for some time. It has worked closely with the Minister, Department of Health and the HSE to expand GP training places in recent years, with an historically high number of GPs in training – 1191 in supervised training places at present.”
Dr Collins added: “The College increased training places by 22% last year alone, with 350 trainees beginning their training in July 2024. Furthermore, the College’s International Medical Graduate Rural Programme has enabled a further 100 international medical graduates to work in general practice, particularly in rural Ireland., with further expansion of this programme in 2024.”
Fintan Foy, the CEO of the Irish College of GPs, said: “This data shows the challenges facing general practice remain significant, but we are positive we can continue to address these constraints in the ongoing work with the HSE and the Department of Health. We need a real focus on rural and urban deprived general practice, and the support of the HSE in helping GPs who wish to set up new practices in areas of expanding population. We hope this data will help guide policymakers to ensure general practice is fully resourced to meet the needs of our growing and ageing population.”
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Figure 1 and Table 1 are produced by the Irish College of GPs Research Department. They must be credited in any publication.
(* Please note: The Irish College of GPs is the new name for what was formerly The Irish College of General Practitioners.)
ISSUED BY: Aileen O’Meara, Communications Consultant, Irish College of GPs.
Tel. 01 2542984 / 087 2239830. Email: [email protected]