The Irish College of GPs is the professional body for general practice in Ireland. The College is the representative organisation for education, training and standards in general practice, with 4,500 members and associates comprising over 85% of practicing GPs in the Republic of Ireland and 1,191 GPs in training.
The Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI) has released its report, projecting that the demand for General Practitioner (GP) consultations will increase by at least 23 percent by 2040, reflecting continued increases in the population.
This research mirrors the College’s own analysis, which has predicted increased demand for GP services, with the GP workforce unable to keep pace with the rapidly growing population.
The College has responded to the growing demand for GPs and the significant GP shortages by expanding the number of training places on its four-year training programme.
The Chair of the Board of the Irish College of GPs, Dr Deirdre Collins, said: “We are acutely aware of the impact of the growing population, and the ageing population, on GP services. This ESRI report is welcome, because it helps give fresh insights into the challenges facing policy makers and the HSE in meeting the growing demand for GP services.”
The Medical Director of the Irish College of GPs, Dr Diarmuid Quinlan, said: “The College has rapidly expanded the number of training places for GPs on its four-year programme in recent years. The College has 1,191 trainees in supervised training places at present, while training places increased by 22% last year alone, with 350 trainees beginning their training in July 2024. “
He added: “The College has initiated a successful International Medical Graduate programme for 150 international GPs to work in rural practices for two years, and we look forward to expanding that programme with the support of the HSE.”
The CEO of the Irish College of GPs, Fintan Foy, said: “The ESRI report paints a stark picture of the impact of the growing population on GP demand in the coming years. With the support of the HSE and the Department of Health, we remain positive that we can continue to address the challenges of GP shortages. We hope that the resources needed to ensure GPs can set up in areas of population growth and where GPs are retiring can be available when needed. We believe the Strategic Review of General Practice needs to be expedited to ensure we can put long-term plans in place to meet the growing healthcare needs of the Irish population.”
Issued by: Aileen O’Meara, Communications Consultant, Irish College of GPs.
Tel. 01 2542984/0872239830 Email: media@icgp.ie