Róisín Shortall
Question:450. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the urgent problem of the shortage of general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32025/18]
View answerThursday, 12 July 2018
Questions (450)
Written answers
The Government is aware of workforce issues facing general practice, including the influence of demographic factors, and has implemented a number of measures to improve recruitment and retention in general practice.
GPs play a crucial role in the provision of primary care services. The number of GPs on the specialist register continues to increase – up from 2,270 in 2010 to 3,668 in 2018 - and the number of GPs with a GMS contract has also risen, from 2,098 in 2008 to 2,494 as at 1 July 2018.
GP training places have been increased from 120 in 2009 to 194 in 2018 and the Government's objective is to continue to achieve annual increases in the number of training places available while ensuring that all of the places are filled.
Entry provisions to the GMS scheme have been changed to accommodate more flexible GMS contracts and the retirement age has been extended to 72. An enhanced support package for rural practices has been introduced with improved qualifying criteria and an increased financial allowance of €20,000 per annum.
The Government is committed to engaging with GP representatives on necessary service improvements and reforms to the current GMS contract.
My Department and the HSE met with the Irish Medical Organisation at the beginning of May to set out the State's position concerning the GMS contract and subsequently wrote to the Organisation setting out these proposals formally and its response is awaited.