GPs from outside the EU will be invited to work to ease family doctor crisis

As reported by The Independent, more GPs from outside the EU, including South Africa, are to be invited to work in Ireland in a bid to alleviate the shortage of family doctors

A training scheme for non-EU GPs will increase from 50 to 250 places by the end of next year – a 400pc increase.

The measure is part of a package announced by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly today amid growing concern at the failure of patients to get on the list of a GP surgery.

He said the number of GP training places in Ireland will also increase by one third by 2024.

This will see the intake rise from 258 in 2022 to 350 in 2024 .

The total number of trainees undertaking the four-year programme will increase from the current 932 to 1,300 in 2026 – a 45pc rise.

He said the GP training scheme, which is run by the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), accepted 258 new doctors onto its 2022/2023 specialist training programme. At present there are 932 trainees undertaking the four year course.

The number of GP training places will rise to 285 this coming July, before increasing to 350 in July 2024 which will see a total of 1,300 trainees undertaking the programme.

He added: ”I am committed to increasing our medical workforce. We must plan for the future. This is a hugely positive step as it offers more training places to doctors who want to specialise as General Practitioners and is very good news for patients.”

HSE Chief Executive Bernard Gloster added: “The rapid expansion of GP training places builds on the work of recent years. This most welcome development is the single biggest improvement for the future resourcing of one of the most vital components of health services for the people. We will take every opportunity to ensure the growth of general practice across the country.”

This programme for non-EU doctors to train as GPs, developed by the HSE and ICGP, is having an immediate impact through increased capacity in general practice, with an intake of 100 doctors expected by the end of this year, and a further intake of 250 by the end of 2024, he added.

“These are highly experienced and skilled GPs from around the world, who take part in a two-year programme combining frontline GP work with mentoring and training at designated practices.

“Expanding the number of GP training places to an all-time high of 350, coupled with the great strides being made in our non-EU programme, will help us to strengthen our primary care services and increase our vital GP workforce now and into the future.”

Commenting on the move, ICGP chief executive of the Irish College of General Practitioners, Fintan Foy, said: “We welcome the Minister’s plans to increase the number of training places for general practice. The workforce and workload crisis in general practice is affecting patients who have to wait longer to see their GP, as well as thousands of patients who are unable to register with a GP practice. We need more GPs and this increase in training places is a significant measure to enable more doctors to become GPs here in Ireland.”

“We acknowledge and thank the Minister and the HSE for its support in our non-EU Rural Doctors programme. This is a great initiative in ensuring that rural communities continue to be served with quality GP services”.