Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 November 2023
155. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health what measures are being taken to actively recruit GPs to come and work in rural practices from outside of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50284/23]
View answerIn cooperation with my Department, the HSE and the ICGP introduced this year a non-EU Rural GP Programme which is on target to bring 100 additional non-EU GPs into the State. These GPs work in GP practices providing healthcare to patients, and will, on successful completion of the 2-year programme, be eligible to practice independently and take up a GMS contract. The programme targets the placement of GPs to rural and urban deprived areas with limited GP access for patients. It is planned to bring to Ireland up to 250 more non-EU GPs by the end of 2024.
All doctors wishing to practice in Ireland must be registered with the Medical Council. The Council has established processes for the assessment of both general and specialist medical qualifications from Ireland, EEA and third countries.
The non-EU GP programme compliments the increases made in recent years to the number of doctors entering GP training, which has risen to 286 this year with 350 places for new entrants planned for next year. Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by over 80% since 2015.
The Government has taken measures to increase the attractiveness of general practice in Ireland as a career for doctors. Figures recently released by the ICGP show that 1,311 medical graduates have applied for GP training in 2024, a notable increase on last year and higher than any previous years.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice has been increased now by €211.6m. The Agreement provides for an increase in capitation fees for participating GPs, additional services, improved family arrangements as well as a targeted €2 million fund to support to practices in deprived urban areas. The recent GP Agreement 2023 announced in July, includes additional capacity supports to enable the expansion and retention of staffing within general practice. It includes additional supports for GP Out of Hours services also.
Specific supports are in place to support GPs in rural areas. The practice support package for rural GP practices which was introduced previously was increased by 10% under the 2019 GP Agreement. Practices in receipt of rural practice supports attract the maximum allowable rates for practice staff support subsidies and locum contributions for leave taking. Specific fees are also in place for dispensing doctors (who operate in rural areas), these have been increased by 28% under that Agreement.
In addition, as part of the GP Agreement 2023, a ring-fenced fund of €0.6m is being made available to support the delivery of initiatives to support rural GPs, including assistance sourcing locum cover for leave taking. The HSE will collaborate with the IMO to implement these supports.
Lastly, my Department and the HSE have commenced a Strategic Review of General Practice. The review, with input from key stakeholders, will examine the broad range of issues affecting general practice, including issues related to GP capacity, and will set out the measures necessary to deliver a more sustainable general practice into the future. The provision of GP services in certain rural and urban deprived areas that are underserved, and the possible mechanisms to attract more GPs to these locations, is a specific issue that will be examined under the review.
