Retiring doctors to trigger GP crisis
Almost 30 per cent of GPs in County Galway are set to retire by 2025 according to doctors campaigning for a reversal of recession cuts.
Some 666 GPs over the age of 60 are set to retire nationally in the next five to seven years, with the HSE predicting a shortage of 2,055 family doctors by 2025.
The Irish Medical Organisation claim the figure is 28 per cent in the same period in Galway. They predict some posts will almost certainly be left vacant due to the lack of graduating doctors remaining at home.
A HSE spokeswoman said they know of four GPs due to retire in Galway City and County this year.
“Efforts are currently in train to replace those GPs. Between 2019 and 2025, a further 19 GPs in Galway are scheduled to retire at the retiring age of 72 which represents 11% of the workforce in the county.
“However, the actual number of GPs who will retire may be higher as others may choose to retire before reaching retirement age.
“The number of places on the GP Training Programmes has increased nationally to compensate for the GPs due to retire throughout the country over the next number of years.”
The IMO claim funding to GP services has been cut by 38% or €160 million every year since 2008 as a result of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest – or FEMPI – during the recession.
“What we’re asking for in general practice is equity,” pleaded Dr Martin Daly, a Ballygar GP and IMO past-president.
“Many politicians and public servants and civil servants have had their FEMPI cuts overturned. We’re asking for the FEMPI cuts to be returned to general practice so that we can provide an ongoing service but also to ensure that there will be GPs to take over practices in the future.”
The cuts have made setting up a practice unsustainable for many young GPs – 17% of newly qualified GPs have chosen to leave and work abroad, mainly in Australia.
See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.