The Government is leading the country “into a disaster” by failing to address the recruitment of GPs with the seriousness it requires, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore, reports RTE.
The Wicklow representative told the Dáil that one of her constituents reported her child needed chemotherapy but could not obtain a referral, as the waiting list with their local GP stretched to two years.
She stated that six in ten GPs are no longer able to accept new patients due to being over-capacity, arguing that the training posts recently announced by the Government were merely “scratching the surface”, reports RTE.
Ms Whitmore noted that a strategic review of general practice, which began in 2023 and was intended to be completed within a year, has still not concluded.
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She urged the immediate hiring of salaried GPs directly by the HSE, pointing out that many medical professionals are unwilling to manage their own practices, which involves acting as doctors, employers, and accountants simultaneously, reports RTE.
The Social Democrats TD added that 30% of the 350 incoming GP trainees are expected to emigrate.
Tánaiste Simon Harris acknowledged that GP recruitment is a “real challenge,” especially given the country’s growing population, and admitted that patients are “waiting too long”, reports RTE.
However, he insisted that steps are being taken, highlighting that 286 GPs completed training in 2023, with the number rising to 346 last year.
Mr Harris also mentioned that 118 overseas GPs have already been recruited and are working, while an additional 18 are undergoing training, reports RTE.
The Tánaiste, who also represents Wicklow, agreed that the HSE-employed salaried GP model is “a good model” and said it should be expanded.
But he cautioned that GP recruitment alone won’t solve the issue, emphasising the need for greater support so GPs can hire more nurses and triage the healthcare services they offer, reports RTE.
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