The Rural Independent Group of TDs have called for immediate action to address what they have described as “critical” shortages in General Practise across rural Ireland, a situation which they say has “escalated” over the last four years.
The TDs will introduce a Dáil Motion this Wednesday to call for immediate action regarding a GP shortage and healthcare crisis impacting rural Ireland.
The group, led by Deputy Mattie McGrath, highlighted recent data revealing that over two-thirds (66%) of rural GPs are currently unable to accept new patients, with some experiencing waiting times of up to two weeks for appointments, as highlighted in a survey conducted by the Irish Independent.
“This mounting health crisis is straining rural communities, resulting in delayed diagnoses and treatments,” they said, describing rural healthcare as being “on the brink.”
Speaking ahead of the Dáil debate, Deputy McGrath, highlighted the severity of the situation, as he accused the government of failing to act.
“For four years, the Government has turned a blind eye to the pleas of GPs and frontline healthcare workers. General Practice is under immense strain, yet the Minister for Health and the government have failed to act,” the opposition TD said.
He said that in response, the Rural Independents are putting forward “concrete” measures seeking to reverse the decline in rural healthcare.
“We must establish a high-level Ministerial working group to devise immediate, medium-term, and long-term solutions. The current Dublin-centric approach is neglecting rural healthcare, and that must change,” Deputy McGrath said.
The motion calls for immediate action to be taken in order to fill vacant GP posts in rural areas and alleviate the burden on existing practices. This would include immediate measures such as new salaried GP positions and increased support for rural practices to attract and retain medical professionals. Long-term solutions include increasing GP training places and making rural healthcare more appealing to young doctors through targeted incentives.
“The shortage of GPs in rural areas is unsustainable, and the Government’s inaction is exacerbating the crisis. We need bold, actionable solutions to reverse this decline and safeguard the future of healthcare in rural Ireland,” the Tipperary Independent said.
He also said that there was a need for greater investment in GP training and primary care services, along with initiatives to incentivize young doctors from rural areas to return and practise in their communities.
“The time for excuses is over,” Deputy McGrath said. “We need decisive action to ensure that every citizen, regardless of location, has access to quality healthcare.”
“General Practice is the backbone of Ireland’s healthcare system, but it is crumbling under the weight of neglect and indifference. We are determined to reverse this trend and ensure that every rural community has access to the healthcare services they deserve.”
Last Spring, it was estimated that the shortage of GPs could reach 1,380 by 2025. Doctors across the country have called for urgent action to be taken to remedy the shortage of general practitioners, with concerns over the delivery of timely and high-quality patient care.
In an interview with regional newspaper The Echo last week, Cork GP Dr Diarmuid Quinlan expressed concern that many people have to travel more than an hour to see a doctor, adding that he hoped Ireland would not become a “medical desert” due to the current situation.
“Currently, we have approximately 4,200 GPs in the country. Of those, 14% are aged 65 or over. That’s about 600 aged 65 and over: Most of those will have retired within three years, thus creating a huge gap in our workforce,” Dr Quinlan told the Cork newspaper. “We have rapidly and substantially expanded the number of our GP training places.
Ireland’s growing population and rising age profile are adding to the challenges, the medical director with the Irish College of General Practitioners said.
“Before the pandemic, the Medical Council and the HSE issued a report, saying we need about 50% more GPs — they were estimating we need just north of 6,000-6,500. Since then, our population has gone up to 5.1m.”
“We now have among the oldest population in the EU,” said Dr Quinlan. “In 2019, we had 701,000 people aged 65 or over and, in 2023, we’ve 806,000 aged 65 and over: It’s up 15%,” he added.
“Old people accumulate diseases and they need substantially more care than younger people, and GP care in particular.”