A new Department of Health report has highlighted significant challenges facing GP services across Ireland, with particular concerns for rapidly growing urban areas and rural regions served by retiring doctors.

The Irish College of GPs has welcomed the report, which confirms that while overall GP training numbers are sufficient to meet national demand, specific areas face serious constraints. These include urban areas experiencing rapid population growth, deprived urban communities, and rural areas served by single-handed GPs nearing retirement.

For Cork residents, this could impact both the city’s expanding suburbs and rural communities across the county, where access to family doctors may become increasingly strained.

The College has responded to growing demand by dramatically expanding its training programme. Since 2015, the number of GPs trained annually has increased by 85%, with 350 training places now available each year on the four-year programme.

Dr Deirdre Collins, Chair of the Board of the Irish College of GPs, said:

“We are acutely aware of the impact of the growing population, and the ageing population, on GP services. This report by the Department of Health highlights once again the urgent need for planning to ensure that everyone who needs a GP can access one in a timely fashion.”

She added:

“We need a real focus on rural and urban deprived general practice, and the support of the HSE in helping GPs who wish to set up new practices in areas of expanding population.”

Currently, 1,191 GPs are in supervised training positions, with training places having increased by 22% last year alone. The College has also launched an International Medical Graduate programme, placing 150 international GPs in rural practices for two-year placements.

Dr Diarmuid Quinlan, Medical Director of the Irish College of GPs, said:

“The College has also 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 Economic and Social Research Institute predicts Ireland’s population will grow from 5.3 million to between 5.9 and 6.3 million by 2040, placing additional pressure on healthcare services.

The College plans to meet with the Minister for Health to discuss the report’s findings and potential solutions for ensuring accessible GP services nationwide.