A Monaghan doctor says GP practices in Ireland are in the "midst of a crisis" that is only going to get worse with 22% of GPs now over the age of 60. Dr Illona Duffy was responding to a new report conducted by The Journal which states that Ireland is one of few EU countries where the patient load of GPs has increased over the past decade.
According to the report, each GP in Ireland has an average of 100 extra people in their catchment area due to a surge in population, however this has not been matched by an equivalent rise in doctors, making it extremely difficult for locals to see a GP in the likes of Co Monaghan. While the Department of Health and the HSE have increased numbers in GP training, Dr Duffy says many are choosing to go away which is a major cause for concern.
Last year, the Irish College of GPs (ICGP) found that counties with large urban areas had among the highest GP numbers per population, however Co Monaghan along with Co Meath had the lowest. Speaking on today's Joe Finnegan Show, Dr Duffy described the situation as "sad" and "frustrating" however noted that the current crisis is "solvable" if GPs like herself are listened to:
