Cork would need 80 more GPs under free universal access
Nationally, universal access to free GP care would require around 500 extra GPs, the report found. In County Cork the additional requirement would be 82 whole-time equivalent (WTE) GPs.
The report found that the daily number of complexity-adjusted GP consultations in West Cork is slightly higher than a recommended benchmark, which the authors attributed to a higher proportion of residents aged 70 and older in the region.
The complexity-adjusted figure reflects that some demographic groups such as older people have longer consultation times and are more likely to require home visits.
The report also found that parts of Cork have doctors with a relatively higher General Medical Services (GMS) contract age and so there is potentially an older GP population. The GMS contract governs services provided to medical card and GP visit card holders.
"Around Tipperary, Cork, Monaghan, and Donegal where young people are moving out, so are young GPs. This is being counteracted by young GPs selecting into neighbouring areas," the report states. Areas in Cork with younger GMS contract-holders include Bandon and Mallow.
The central part of Cork city has a relatively low uptake of the GMS contract among GPs, despite being an area with a relatively high cardholding population, the report found, while in East Cork the uptake of the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) contract is high, reflecting a large older population.
In 2023 the total number of GPs in the country was 3,928 or one WTE GP per 1,973 people. Nationally, just over 20% of GPs work in a single-doctor practices and another 20% work in practices with two doctors. Thirteen per cent of GPs reported working at least 48 hours per week.
The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has warned that Ireland's GP numbers are "critically low" and will be not improve without significant systemic change. The organisation, which represents doctors in Ireland, argues that there is a lack of supports to encourage doctors to enter or stay in General Practice.
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