The “severe” shortage of GPs in Ireland is likely to get worse, the Irish College of GPs has warned. 

Currently, there are 4,200 GPs in Ireland but one in seven are over 65 and likely to retire in the next few years. 

The Irish College of General Practitioners and Association of University Departments of General Practice in Ireland concluded in a report that there are too few GPs as it is and the shortage is negatively affecting the quality of care for patients.

The report recommends calling for the promotion of Academic Internships in General Practice as well as developing and resourcing a structured GP Specialist Training Academic Pathway.

GP prepares to give the flu jab injection to a patient

“We have a severe GP shortage in Ireland at the moment,” Dr Diarmuid Quinlan said. 

“We seek funding for the development and resourcing of undergraduate medical students to attend clinical placements in general practice. 

“This is a really important strategic part of helping general medical students see the really good value of general practice as a career choice.” 

With Ireland’s population forecast to continue growing in the next few years, the HSE plans to recruit an additional 15,500 staff by 2035.

Main image: Dr Detlef Wend examines a patient. Picture by: Alamy.com