Ireland Is Facing A Major GP Shortage In The Next Decade

Wednesday, 26 January 2022 14:32

By Caoimhe Harney

The Irish College of GP'S has warned.

There could be a shortage of 1,600 GPs by the end of the decade.

The Irish College of GPs has warned a fifth of doctors are due to retire within the next five years.

It's told an Oireachtas committee the current numbers aren't adequate to meet the growing needs of patients.

It said Ireland's in the middle of a GP 'crisis' - which has been worsened by the pandemic.

The Irish Medical Organisation say there are high levels of burnout and stress among family doctors.

The commitee has also heard that some student doctors are leaving college with 100 thousand euro worth of debt.

The Irish Medical Organisation says the cost of setting up a practice is "financially crippling" for many.

It's told an Oireachtas committee the debt can rise to almost a million euro by the time the practice is fully up and running.

Kilcullen GP and Member of the Irish College of Practitioners, Dr. Deirdre Collins spoke with Ciara Noble on Wednesday's Kildare Today:

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