Brassilwarns of potential GP shortage

A FIANNA Fáil TD in Kerry has called on the Minister of Health Simon Harris to map out a pathway to reverse Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) cuts to GPs in the county.

The party’s spokesperson on Primary Care John Brassil TD made the calls recently and said that Ireland could be facing into a major shortage of GPs in the coming years.

He added that GP services across the country are already facing a tipping point due to the high age profile of those currently serving as GPs.

“It is vital that the Government provides a clear pathway to achieve the full reversal of FEMPI cuts for Kerry GPs, with that process to begin immediately,” the TD said.

“A new GP contract could take several years to negotiate. It is not appropriate that the reversal of these cuts is used as leverage.

“FEMPI is already being reversed across the public sector, and indeed in the public health service. GPs are being left out in the cold in this process,” he added in outlining his feelings on the issue.

In explaining his concerns, Brassil TD said that two in five GPs are approaching retirement age, meaning Ireland could be facing a shortage of up to 1,400 GPs by 2025.

He described this conundrum as a tipping point that must be immediately addressed by the Department of Health.

“The strain under which GPs are currently operating means that this cannot wait,” he said.

“GP services across the country have now reached a tipping point. 36 per cent of GPs are aged over 55 years according to the Irish College of General Practitioners.

“By the HSE’s own estimate, Ireland is facing a shortage of between 493 and 1,380 GPs by 2025 unless urgent steps are taken to address the shortfall. This needs to be resolved as a matter of urgency.

“Rather than struggling to keep practices open, GPs should be treating patents and helping to establish an exciting new model of community-based care in which they are future leaders.”