Niamh Smyth
Question:49. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the worrying trend of a lack of general practitioners in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20450/17]
View answerWednesday, 3 May 2017
Questions (49)
Written answers
The Government is committed to the continued development of GP capacity to ensure that patients across the country continue to have access to GP services, especially in remote rural areas and also in disadvantaged urban areas, and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future. I want to ensure that existing GP services are retained and that general practice remains an attractive career option for newly-qualified GPs.
The Programme for Partnership Government commits to increasing the number of GP training places to 259 places annually. In July 2016, the GP training intake increased from 157 to 172 places. The number of training places increased again this year with 186 places offered; however, only 177 places have been formally accepted. While it is of course disappointing that all the available places were not filled, it must be acknowledged that there has been a huge expansion in the training scheme in recent years. In 2009, there were 120 places available and in 2017 there are 186 places available. This is an increase of 55% in seven years. I am anxious to achieve further increases in the number of GP training places in future years, and to ensure that all the available places are filled, in order to meet the future manpower needs of general practice.
Further efforts undertaken in recent years to increase the number of practising GPs include changes to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to accommodate more flexible/shared GMS/GP contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme, allowing GPs to hold GMS contracts until their 72nd birthday, as well as the introduction of an enhanced supports package for rural GP practices. These steps should help to address the future demand for GPs by enticing GPs who may have ceased practising for family or other reasons back into the workforce, facilitating GPs to work past the standard retirement age and encouraging more GPs to work in rural areas.
In addition, I have repeatedly emphasised the need for a new GP services contract which will help modernise our health service and develop a strengthened primary care sector, and health service management have already progressed a number of significant measures through engagement with GP representatives in recent years. The next phase of engagement on a new GP contract is under way and the sustainability of general practice in rural areas will be considered in this context. The review process will also seek to introduce further measures aimed at making general practice a fulfilling and rewarding career option into the future.