Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 April 2023
408. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his plans to continue the ongoing need to upgrade the health services to meet the needs of an increasing population including the shortage of GPs, the need to retain staff at all levels and the ability to meet any challenges that might arise throughout the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18870/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to the implementation of Regional Health Areas (RHAs), as outlined in the Programme for Government. The establishment of RHAs involves the creation of six regional organisations with full responsibility for the planning and delivery of hospital, community, and social care services within their respective areas. These new arrangements will improve the health service’s ability to deliver more joined-up, integrated care for patients that is planned and funded in line with regional and local needs.
It is proposed to undertake detailed profiling of health and social care needs to establish a basis for population planning and the development of integrated care plans. An IGEES Spending Review has recently been published which outlines a model proposal for informing the allocation of funding and resourcing according to population needs.
In relation to the availability of GPs, the Government has undertaken several measures to improve the number of GPs working in the State and ensure patients continue to have access to GP services across the country. Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice has been increased now by €211.6m. This provides for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees and subsidies for additional services. Improvements to GP’s maternity and paternity leave arrangements and a support for GPs in disadvantaged urban areas, have also been provided for. In addition, the enhanced supports package for rural GP practices was increased by 10%.
The number of doctors entering GP training has increased approximately ten percent year on year from 2019, rising from 193 in 2019 to 258 in 2022, and a further large increase is planned for this year. Following the transfer of responsibility for GP training from the HSE to the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), it is aimed to have 350 training places available for new entrants per year by 2026.
There has been unprecedented growth in all staff categories in the Health Service over recent years. In February the total workforce stands at 139,186 WTE. This is an increase of 1,441 WTE from December figures. In 2020, 2021 and 2022 the HSE achieved the three largest increases in the workforce since the foundation of the HSE. This expansion is continuing in 2023 with an expected growth of 6,000 WTE. There are 19,369 more WTE working in our health service than there were at the beginning of 2020. This includes 6,201 nurses and midwives; 3,047 health and social care professionals; and 1,805 doctors and dentists. Work is ongoing to improve retention policies, speed up recruitment processes and to add more educational places to expand the workforce to the largest extent possible.
The Department and the HSE are working together to increase the supply of healthcare professionals across all professions. The HSE is focused on retention of existing HSE staff and maximising the number of health care graduates from Irish colleges entering the public health services.
The HSE are targeting all nursing, midwifery and health and social care graduates across all Irish colleges with the offer of permanent positions in the HSE, together with competitive relocation packages to entice our graduates from previous years home.
The HSE is expanding its international reach with innovations such as the development of the Medical Consultant Hub which is promoted internationally and also developing attraction strategies specific to each grade category and the strategies will include promoting the full extent of career opportunities available within the HSE.
