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General Practitioner Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021

Tuesday, 2 November 2021

Questions (963)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

963. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if there has been engagement between his Department and an organisation (details supplied) pertaining to the growing concerns expressed by general practitioners regarding the falling numbers in general practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52686/21]

View answer

Written answers

There is ongoing engagement between officials from my Department and the HSE and the organisation in question in relation to a wide range of issues, including the number of doctors working in general practice.

While no central register exists specifically for GPs working in Ireland, all doctors in practice in Ireland must be registered with the Medical Council. The number of GPs on the specialist register continues to increase, up from 2,270 in 2010 to 4,224 in September 2021. However, holding registration does not necessarily mean that a medical practitioner is active in general practice at this time, nor does it equate to full time practitioners. The number of GPs contracted to provide services to GMS patients has increased in the past 10 years from 2,258 to 2,531, an increase of 12%.

Nonetheless, I am very aware of the workforce issues facing general practice, including changing demographics, the number of GPs nearing retirement, the difficulties in filling a small number of GMS vacancies, and the impact of the shift towards care centred in the community on general practice.

Several efforts to increase the number of practising GPs have been undertaken in recent years. In addition to the increases in the number of GP training places, changes have been made to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to facilitate more flexible/shared GMS contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme. An enhanced supports package for rural GP practices was also introduced.

Recent developments in relation to general practice, in particular the 2019 Agreement on Contractual Reform and Service Development, have helped to re-establish general practice in Ireland as an attractive career choice. The additional investment, which will amount to €210 million annually once the Agreement is fully implemented, provides for an increase in capitation fees, improved maternity and paternity arrangements as well as enhanced supports for rural practices. In addition, targeted funding of €2 million will also be set aside to provide additional support to practices in deprived urban areas. The wider reforms in the health service will also help to provide an atmosphere in which the practice of medicine in Ireland will remain attractive. The additional investment in general practice provides a sound basis for ensuring that GPs have access to a credible and rewarding career path in Ireland.

In addition, the recent transfer of responsibility for GP training to the Irish College of General Practitioners will bring GP training in line with other medical specialties where responsibility for training lies with the respective vocational bodies. This transfer will allow for a further expansion in the number of training places.

Question No. 964 answered with Question No. 777.
Question No. 965 answered with Question No. 931.
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