Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am taking this Topical Issue matter for the Minister, Deputy Donnelly. I thank all three Deputies for raising the issue of the impending closure of a general practice in Templemore following the recent retirement of Dr. Joe Hennessy. The Government is committed to ensuring that patients throughout the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas in the future. It is imperative that general practice remains an attractive career option for newly-qualified GPs and that services are provided in a way which is accessible to all patients.

The Government is aware of workforce issues facing general practice, including the influence of demographic factors. In recent years, it has implemented a number of measures to improve recruitment and retention in general practice. These measures include increasing investment in general practice by approximately 40%, to €210 million, between 2019 and 2023 under the terms of the 2019 general medical service and general practice agreement. 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 GP training places increased from 120 in 2009 to 233 in 2021, an increase of 94% over the 12-year period in question. The intention is to continue to achieve annual increases in the number of training places available. 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.

Regarding the GP vacancy in Templemore, it has not, to date, been possible to source a locum to provide consistent cover for this practice. Since July 2021, eight locum doctors have provided cover, which is not ideal for delivering a quality service and continuity of care for patients. Two recruitment campaigns have been undertaken. The panel was advertised locally, nationally and in the British Medical Journal. In addition, the advertisement was shared with all GMS practices across the mid-west and with the mid-west training scheme in an attempt to attract newly-qualified GPs. Unfortunately, the HSE has not been successful in recruiting a GP to this single-handed general practice in Templemore. It is therefore planned that the group practice in the town of Templemore will take on the panel of patients on an interim basis. An additional GP has been recruited by the practice, which means that three doctors will provide the additional capacity, to provide a safe, accessible and consistent service to the patients in Templemore and the surrounding area. Additional nursing and administrative staff have also been recruited for the practice. This reflects the developing trend in general practice to have larger practices, which can both improve the services available to patients and provide an improved working environment for GPs and their staff.

General medical card scheme patients have been advised of the new arrangements and how to access the new practice.

While the HSE has no responsibility for private patients, private patients have been advised by practice staff of the need to source a new GP. Private patients can contact the group practice, or any other practice of their choice, to request to be taken on as a private patient. Should any private patient find it difficult to source a new GP, he or she can contact the local HSE primary care unit which can support him or her in accessing a GP insofar as it is possible.

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