Some GPs are turning away “20 or 30 new patients on a weekly basis” amid a growing shortage, according to a Dublin-based doctor. 

The shortage of GPs – particularly in rural areas – continues to grow, with roughly 700 doctors expected to retire in the next five years. 

The growing lack of services available has put increasing pressure on existing GPs – who often have no choice but to turn dozens of people away every week. 

Dr Knut Moe, who runs two practices in south Dublin, told Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie that demand has been increasing “year on year”. 

“We've been closed in one of our practices to new patients for the past two years,” he told The Hard Shoulder. 

“We're turning away 20 to 30 new patients on a weekly basis.” 

He said GPs have to prioritise existing patients – although these patients are also suffering from the pressure on the health system. 

“We've seen our waiting times increase from a same-day service for the most part – probably pre-pandemic – to maybe routine appointments being at least three to four days’ [wait],” he said. 

“I know of other practices where you could be [waiting] up to two weeks.” 

One consequence of longer waiting times for GP services is delays in receiving essential documentation from GPs, such as social welfare forms or private medical attendant reports. 

Pressure on GP services

Dr Moe said there is an “inherent increased level of administration around the clinical work” of GPs. 

“I think for every three hours of clinical work, you're generating anywhere from one to two hours of administrative work,” he said. 

“It’s oftentimes not just a signature that needs to be signed - a doctor will have to look through the patient's notes. 

“If it's, say, an insurance medical for somebody who's looking to buy a house and get a mortgage, you know, we'd have to go through their notes in a quite detailed manner.” 

GPs often have to “prioritise” patients’ demands – meaning something could be “urgent” to one person, but “down the list” to a doctor. 

Practitioners said it takes anywhere from one day to three weeks before they are able to sign off on various documentation for patients. 

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) estimated in April that an additional 375 GPs will be needed in the next five years to match housing targets and population growth. 

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