Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1718. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review correspondence from Monaghan County Council regarding general practitioner shortages in south County Monaghan; if he will investigate these concerns with a view to finding a solution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40092/22]
View answerGPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently there are 2,551 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme.
Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the selection process to find a replacement GP. As of the 1st of June 2022, there are 33 GMS vacancies across the country, just over 1 percent of the total number of GMS panels; there is one vacant panel in Monaghan which is being covered by a locum GP.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice and is working to ensure patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
The 2019 Agreement on GP contractual reform and service development will see the Government increase annual investment in general practice by approximately 40% (€210 million) between 2019 and 2023. The Agreement provides for increased support for GPs working in rural practices and for those in disadvantaged urban areas, and for improvements to maternity and paternity leave arrangements. In addition, the number of GPs entering training has been increased steadily over the past number of years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 258 places filled in July this year.
These measures will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
