County town is short on recommended GP numbers
A local election candidate says the GP shortage in Castlebar needs to be urgently addressed.
A Mayo election candidate believes Castlebar needs more GPs.
Based on figures provided by the Irish College of General (ICGP) practitioners, Castlebar needs at least four more doctors to provide the recommended level of cover, according to Independent candidate, Harry Barrett.
"The recommendation from the ICGP is for 12 GPs per 10,000 of the population. That would mean that we should have 16 GPs in the Castlebar urban area based on that figure when our population is taken into account. I count only 12 GPs today in Castlebar. So we're four short," said Mr Barrett.
He said patients and practitioners are suffering and struggling.
"GPs themselves report today that they are under real pressure as a result of the shortage. They report an increase in workload, they are working late into the evening, early morning starts and they're struggling to take any leave due to the unavailability of locum cover. This can be witnessed in Castlebar and it's not fair on our local GPs and it's very unsafe for patients. It is also a major cause of the crazy trolley numbers in Mayo University Hospital," said Mr Barrett.
"I want this situation addressed by the HSE as a matter of urgency. I want new GMS numbers advertised for Castlebar and premises located to house at least four new doctors in the Castlebar area," he added.
