Written answers

Thursday, 8 May 2008

Department of Health and Children

General Practitioner Services

5:00 pm

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the action she will take to address the worsening shortage of general practitioners as highlighted by the Irish College of General Practitioners survey showing over 25% of GPs in this State have closed their practices to new patients due to pressure of work; if she will increase the number of training places for GPs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17219/08]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I am aware of the results of the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) Manpower Survey 2008.

The number of General Practitioners who are in active practice is about 2,500. This equates to approximately 0.5 GPs per 1000 of the population, a ratio that is low by comparison with other EU and OECD countries.

I recognise there is a need to increase the number of GPs to take account of the projected growth in population, the ageing of the population and the ageing of the GP workforce.

The Government has taken a number of initiatives to address this. In February, 2006 we announced that the number of medical school places for EU students would be more than doubled by 305 to 725. The number of 305 places had been in place since 1978 through successive governments. Now there will be a new graduate entry stream providing an additional 240 places and increasing the number of EU undergraduate places by 180.

A total of 170 extra medical school places have been provided between 2006 and 2007 for Irish/EU students in the existing undergraduate courses and in the new graduate entry programme. A further 95 places will be made available in 2008 with the remaining 155 places coming on stream over the next 2 years.

In 2004, it was agreed with the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) that the number of GP vocational training places should be increased from 84 to 150 on a phased basis over three years. I am informed by the HSE that to date, 36 of the additional 66 places have been provided, bringing the total number of training places annually to 120. The further increase to 150 places is being kept under review by the HSE in the light of the current budgetary situation.

There are currently 12 GP vocational training programmes in the State and these programmes are accredited by the ICGP. 376 trainees are currently participating in these programmes and the HSE has advised that this number will increase to 449 in July 2008. The HSE has indicated that there have been capacity issues within these training programmes and that this is the principal reason that it has not been possible to increase the number of training places as quickly as had been hoped. The HSE continues to work with the ICGP with a view to addressing these issues.

A joint Department of Health and Children / HSE working group on workforce planning was established in June 2006. It also includes representatives of the Departments of Finance and Education and Science, and the Higher Education Authority.

Research is currently being undertaken by FÁS on behalf of the joint working group. This research will analyse the labour market for 11 healthcare grades and professions, including GPs, and will help determine future GP training needs. FÁS is expected to complete its work by the end of 2008 when it will report its findings to the joint working group.

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