'Re-think' wanted on how rural GPs are recruited
This Wanted In Training Stay Picture: There Gps Martin O’loughlin In Was Dr Gerard To Daly That Said ‘an Country’ Indication
A “complete re-think” in how rural doctors are recruited is needed to address the crisis in GP numbers, the Irish Medical Organisation has said.
The reportedlast weekend how one region in Kerry has gone from six doctors to three, including one approaching retirement in a microcosm of the national crisis.
Irish Medical Organisation former president and a GP in rural Galway Dr Martin Daly said the impact of funding cuts in 2011 has lingered.
“There was, I would say, a lost 15 years and we are now playing catch-up,” he said.
He echoed calls by South Kerry taskforce, Tascfhórsa Uíbh Ráthaigh, for more supports.
“In the rural areas, I do think there has to be a complete re-think around how services are provided,” he said.
“Communities are entitled to expect general practitioner services in those areas. A number of different models should be considered.”
He suggests GPs could be employed by the HSE in some areas or financially supported more directly than currently.
Supporting doctors to work together in a clinic rather than in single-handed practices could also be explored, he said.
Dr Daly is also a GP trainer, and said a survey of trainee GPs in the West he saw this weekend was positive.
“It was the first time in over a decade where there was an indication that GPs in training want to stay in this country and want to commit to full-time practice. That is heartening,” he said.
He added: “The HSE and Department [of Health] will need to look at supporting GPs to establish in those areas.
“It may be for one, two, or three years but it may be an ongoing support where the infrastructure is provided to the establishing GP to walk into.”
Meanwhile it has emerged uptake of new GP visit cards has been extremely low with just 15,000 out of 430,000 eligible people doing so.
Dr Daly said the scheme is promoted by GPs but he sees one major barrier.
“In my experience talking to patients, the application system is cumbersome and complex,” he said.
“People are discouraged when they go online from applying for a visit card.
“I think the HSE needs to look at streamlining the application process and making it much more accessible.”