Population growth is blamed for GP delays
Cllr Michael Kilcoyne (left), who was elected as vice-chairperson of the Regional Health Forum West is pictured with Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer for the HSE North West and Donegal-based Cllr Ciaran Brogan, who is the new chairperson of the Forum.
A senior HSE executive has said that population growth is a "significant factor" in GPs struggling to keep up with patient demand.
Regional Executive Officer with HSE West and North West Tony Canavan made his comments at last week's Regional Health Forum West in response to a query from Castlebar-based Independent Cllr Michael Kilcoyne.
Cllr Kilcoyne said patients are now left waiting a minimum of five or six days for an appointment with their GP. He added it was not long ago that a patient would be seen on the day they sought an appointment.
“The size of the population is a significant factor," said Mr Canavan. “We also have an ageing population that has a greater reliance on General Practice and we’ve expanded the General Practice schemes so there are more people covered by free GP care and that is creating demand. It is a good thing, it means people are receiving better care.”
Cllr Kilcoyne had asked the Forum about active measures being taken by the West of Ireland hospital group Saolta to address the current GP shortage, following recommendations from the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) that a ratio of 12 doctors per 10,000 population would provide a safe level of primary care.
Chief Officer with Community Healthcare West John Fitzmaurice said the undersupply of GPs is well recognised and the HSE and ICGP are working hard to increase the number of doctors being accepted under the GP Training Scheme.
“The number of doctors being accepted for training under the GP Training Scheme throughout the country has increased incrementally in recent years from 236 in 2021, 258 in 2022, 285 in 2023 to 350 in 2024, an increase of 48% on the 2021 figure, and this is likely to continue to increase going forward.”
Mr Fitzmaurice said an area of concern is filling GP vacancies in rural areas. He said a Rural Fellowship Programme has been established to attract candidates to work in rural GP practices.
Cllr Kilcoyne said there was an issue with GP trainees "disappearing after they qualify" and suggested they be required to work in Ireland for several years after they graduate.
“That has been previously suggested and it is not one we are in favour of,” said Mr Canavan. “It is difficult to implement and I’m not sure it would be a solution for our problems in any case.”
“It is difficult to implement and I’m not sure it would be a solution for our problems in any case.”
