HSE confirms no extra funding for GPs’ CME

There is no planned increase in HSE funding for GP continuing medical education (CME) in 2025, a spokesperson for the Executive has told the Medical Independent (MI).

The HSE’s annual contribution to CME is “budget dependent”. The funding for 2026 has yet to be confirmed, the spokesperson added.

It has been several years since the Irish College of GPs (ICGP) received any increase in CME funding. This situation has forced the College to offset funding deficits to ensure small group learning
is maintained.

Dr Illona Duffy, Monaghan GP and National Director of CME at the College, told MI that access to small group learning had been “a big problem” until recently.

“But the ICGP has provided temporary funding to provide CME tutors in areas that were closed. Galway and Waterford were closed for ages and the problem was both those areas were closely linked with GP training schemes. So we had GPs coming off training schemes who wanted to join groups, but there was no space for them.

“The ICGP said that despite not getting the funding from the HSE, they would provide funding for the time being for new tutors in those areas.”

Dr Duffy also said it had become challenging to find new tutors. In the midlands (Roscommon, Mullingar, Longford), there was no CME tutor for more than three years. She stated that the role of a CME tutor can be difficult.

“It’s night-time work – you’re out in the evening, running the meeting, and you’re going along to three training workshops yourself a year and people aren’t doing it for the money because it’s poorly paid.”

A survey conducted by the College in 2024 showed there were 40 tutors and 161 small group meetings around the country. Some 2,863 GPs reported being members of a CME group, which are limited to a maximum of 12 people.

Dr Duffy said there are now 43 tutors nationwide and “at the moment, there are very few areas that don’t have availability”.

“CME is different to other forms of education,” Dr Duffy explained. “The big difference is that CME brings about changes in clinical practice for patients. We know that from research, and we know that from feedback and surveys done on GP members of CME, who will say that it has changed their practice and also changed how they manage difficult situations and that’s why
it’s important.”

CME groups are a forum in which GPs – particularly newly trained GPs – can discuss challenges and troubleshoot issues, Dr Duffy stated. She added that the groups provide vital education, support, and collegiality, and also help GP retention.

The HSE’s spokesperson commented: “The HSE provides a contribution towards funding for CME and small group learning activities for GPs. However, the value of the contract is commercially sensitive and therefore we cannot supply this detail. This funding contribution is intended to help support the ongoing professional development of GPs who, as independent contractors, are not directly employed by the HSE.”