The number of whole-time equivalent (WTE) GPs and practice nurses in Ireland is “not known”, according to a new report from the Department of Health.
The report, Supply and Demand of General Practice in Ireland, was produced by staff in the Department’s Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES). It was prepared to improve the evidence base for the ongoing strategic review of general practice.
The report noted that the poor quality of the data landscape could “not be over-stated”. The data underpinning the new analysis, which related to general practice in 2022, was “inherently uncertain”. Data was drawn from a wide range of sources including from Primary Care Reimbursement Service, HSE Find My GP, general practice websites, the Medical Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Board, and CervicalCheck.
“Poor understanding of the number of general practice sites, the composition of workforce, working practices, pricing and its incentive structures, and demand, impedes engagement with stakeholders and policy development.”
The research found that the workforce of GPs and general practice nurses and midwives (GPNMs) provided a reasonable level of coverage nationally in response to demand and there was good uptake of public contracts. GPs carried out 19 million consultations annually – 29 per WTE per day. GP nurses and midwives carried out nine million consultations annually – 16 per WTE per day. However, some geographic areas had clear capacity constraints, often in areas of growing or ageing populations.
Commenting on the report, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said: “We know there are challenges, and this report points out the problems and offers ideas on how to fix them, so that GP services stay accessible.
“In places where there aren’t enough GPs, we’ll work to make sure the growing number of healthcare workers are placed where they’re most needed. In areas facing capacity constraints, we will work to better match the available and growing workforce to local demographic requirements.”
According to the Department, capacity challenges can be addressed by 2030 through the increase in GP numbers underway via increased training places and the international medical graduates’ programme.
The paper’s recommendations include expanding and streamlining the role for GPNMs, and the adoption of practice-based public contracts to improve public administration. GPNMs already provide almost a third of general practice consultations and “appear to be an important source of supply and stability” in areas with growing and ageing populations. However, an expansion and standardisation of the GPNM role could be beneficial.
According to the Department, the strategic review of general practice will identify measures to improve the current system as part of a primary care-focused health service and in line with the Sláintecare vision on access.
The IGEES report is available here: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/Supply_and_Demand_of_General_Practice_in_Ireland-_June_2025.pdf
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