A national analysis of GP shortages has revealed significant workforce pressures in Ireland, particularly in Dublin’s commuter belt and along the western seaboard, according to the Irish College of General Practitioners.
Some patients report that GP practices are no longer accepting new patients, while others face delays in getting appointments, reports RTE.
The data also highlights strain on GP services in disadvantaged areas, including parts of Dublin’s northside.
As a result, many patients continue to face difficulties accessing timely GP care, reports RTE.
The College said the findings underline the urgent need for additional supports for newly qualified GPs and measures to maintain services in rural areas as older, single-handed practitioners retire.
The study examined the distribution of GP practices across local electoral areas against population data but did not assess whether individuals could successfully register with a GP, reports RTE.
It found a significant shortfall in GP numbers, with around 4,600 currently practising compared to an estimated requirement of more than 6,000.
While Ireland’s population has grown by 9% over the past decade and the GP workforce by 10%, the College said this growth has only kept pace with demand, reports RTE.
Separate research indicates many practices are operating at full capacity and are closed to new patients, contributing to delays in appointments.
Rapid population growth in commuter areas around Dublin has added pressure, particularly in Kildare, north Louth and parts of Wicklow, reports RTE.
“This is due to a lag in the development of primary care centres or GP practices after rapid population expansion, and the time required to recruit GPs and expand existing practices.
In contrast, rural regions in the North West and Border areas face long-term sustainability challenges due to sparse populations and ageing GP workforces, reports RTE.
Counties such as Donegal, North Mayo, Leitrim and parts of Cavan have widely dispersed populations, making recruitment and succession planning difficult.
The College also identified urban deprivation as a third key area of concern for GP access.
ICGP Medical Director Diarmuid Quinlan said the organisation is aware that many people cannot register with a GP when moving to a new area and is working with the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health to increase GP training places, reports RTE.
Training capacity is set to rise from 350 to 400 places, with an 85% increase since 2017.
Dr Quinlan said there are currently 191 trainees in supervised placements, reports RTE.
He added that the International Medical Graduate programme has recruited more than 170 overseas GPs, helping to ease pressure in rural areas.
Dr Quinlan said the challenges fall into three categories: rural areas with ageing populations and GPs, deprived urban areas with higher healthcare needs, and commuter regions where population growth outpaces GP service expansion, reports RTE.
He noted that while most practices reserve some same-day appointments for urgent cases, availability remains limited.
Chris Pender, a councillor in Newbridge, said he has been unable to register with a GP locally for nearly six years.
“For the last six years I have found it impossible to get my own GP, ” he said, reports RTE.
He said he can access private healthcare, but at a high cost, and cannot use out-of-hours GP services without being registered.
Mr Pender said this has led him to delay seeking medical care and, on one occasion, attend an emergency department instead, reports RTE.
He added that many residents in Newbridge still rely on GPs in Dublin despite living in the area.
“It is not acceptable that people have to move back to where they have moved from, to access basic medical care.
The ICGP analysis found the most severe GP workforce pressures in regions including the North West, North East Border, Mid-East commuter belt, North Dublin, South East and Mid-West, reports RTE.
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