Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

General practitioner services have been declining in recent years and, as a result, there is a chronic shortage of GPs throughout the country. It is impossible to get GPs to locate in rural Ireland and the people in towns and villages throughout the country are left with very few services or none at all. A recent report, commissioned by the HSE, highlighted the fact that the GP shortage would probably get worse before it got better.

A combination of factors are involved. First, a large number of GPs are due to retire in the next ten years and their posts may not be filled, with many young doctors planning to emigrate rather than stay in this country. Last week, I took two calls from families in County Monaghan, one in Carrickmacross and one in Monaghan town. Both had moved to the area recently and they went to every GP in both towns but no one would take them on. Where are such people meant to go in such a situation? The local GP is, for many people, the first port of call when they are sick and in need of medical care. If there are not enough GPs, where are these families supposed to go? They have no choice but to go to an overcrowded emergency department in Cavan or Drogheda, making the problems in these departments worse. It is a vicious circle and patients are going to suffer. Doctors are not to blame. They are under increasing pressure with more patients and longer hours. Some work on call at weekends and they cannot do any more. They are not getting a fair deal from the HSE and I want to see a GP service with primary care centres that are properly resourced. GP numbers must be increased and doctors incentivised to come to rural towns and villages. Until that happens our health services will deteriorate further.

Ireland is facing an estimated shortage of 1,380 GPs by 2025 unless urgent steps are taken to address this issue. A recent HSE report recommends 138 training places per year just to keep up with current demand. The report also recommends the introduction of a number of recruitment and retention strategies, including incentives to GPs to work up to the age of 70 if they wish, measures aimed at rural Ireland to encourage GPs to locate there and more trainees and graduates. Further research into areas such as the expansion of nurse-led care should also be carried out and there needs to be a proper ring-fencing of primary care, especially in respect of GP practices. A properly functioning GP practice leads to the best health outcomes and the best value for money.

Urgent action is required on this issue before the crisis gets worse and I look forward to hearing what plans the Minister brings to this House today to address it.