There are not enough GPs working in Ireland to meet the needs of the current population and this problem will only worsen in the years to come unless action is taken, the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has warned.

According to the IMO, a generation of GPs have already been lost to other health systems as a result of cutbacks imposed during the years of austerity. On average, there is currently less than one GP for every 1,000 of the population and around 20% of existing GPs are expected to retire before the end of this decade.

Furthermore, existing GPs are under immense pressure. Many are working in excess of the nominal 40 hours per week and many are unable to take reasonable leave from work, leading to increased rates of stress and burnout.

The IMO also pointed to the many “onerous obligations under the current GP contract in terms of costs of establishing ongoing financial risk burden, commitment to both day and out-of-hours surgery and uncertainty around future workload”.

It also pointed out that the HSE’s own figures suggest that Ireland needs over 1,600 more GPs by 2028 to cope with a growing and ageing population.

According to Prof Tadhg Crowley of the IMO’s GP Committee, capacity problems within the GP service “have been building up for over a decade now”.

“We know what has caused the problem and it is up to the Government now to listen to solutions. We cannot afford to lose more of our highly trained graduates who are in such demand from other countries where they can deliver care with better resources, better structures and team supports,” he commented.

He noted that over 29 million consultations take place in general practices each year and 90% of these do not require any onward referral.

“GPs have shown that when they are supported, they can deliver for patients. All the evidence shows that moving more care to the community is good for patients, but we need GPs in those communities in sufficient numbers to meet the increased demand,” Prof Crowley said.

He made his comments ahead of a presentation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health on January 26. At that meeting, the IMO proposed a number of solutions to tackle this crisis, including:

-Supports for newly qualified GPs to establish a new practice or transition on a partnership model within existing practices

-Support to recruit a broader range of GP team members to assist in the delivery of care within this setting

-An urgent review of out-of-hours commitments so that this service meets the urgent care needs of patients, but is not an unmanageable burden for some GPs.

Speaking about the issue, Dr Madeline Ní Dhálaigh of the IMO’s GP Committee emphasised that GPs need support “to manage and structure our workload so that we are not constantly firefighting”.

“We were more than happy to play our part in the pandemic, but the level of workloads is not sustainable. We have to ensure that a career in general practice will give all GPs an opportunity to deliver the best possible care to patients while maintaining safe levels of work and enjoying some work/life balance,” she commented.

She added that the future is “daunting” for newly qualified GPs.

“We must support them in practical ways that will allow them to pursue their careers here in Ireland.”