Written answers

Thursday, 1 December 2016

Department of Health

General Practitioner Services Provision

Photo of John BrassilJohn Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

86. To ask the Minister for Health his Department’s estimate of the number of additional general practitioners that will be required over the next decade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38021/16]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Programme for Partnership Government commits to increasing the number of GP training places by 100 over the next five years to 259 places annually. In 2016, the GP training intake increased from 157 to 172 places and I am anxious to achieve further increases in future years.

In September 2015, the HSE published a medical workforce planning report entitledMedical Workforce Planning - Future Demand for General Practitioners 2015 - 2025. The report identified a current unmet service demand of around 500 GPs, and estimatedthat there will be a shortage of around 493 GPs in Ireland by 2025 if the impact of population ageing on GP consultation rates alone is considered. This estimate was based on the assumption that there would be no inward migration of GPs and that the GP training intake would remain at the 2015 level of 157 training places annually. As I have indicated, the Government is committed to increasing GP trainee places on a phased basis.

Further efforts undertaken in recent years to increase the number of practising GPs include changes to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to accommodate more flexible/shared GMS/GP contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme, allowing GPs to hold GMS contracts until their 72nd birthday, as well as the introduction of an enhanced supports package for rural GP practices. These steps should help to address the future demand for GPs by enticing GPs who may have ceased practising for family or other reasons back into the workforce, facilitating GPs to work past the standard retirement age and encouraging more GPs to work in rural areas.

In addition, I am cognisant of the need for a new GP services contract which will help modernise our health service and develop a strengthened primary care sector, and health service management have already progressed a number of significant measures through engagement with GP representatives. The GP contracts review process will, inter alia, seek to introduce further measures aimed at making general practice a fulfilling and rewarding career option into the future.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.