Local TD raises concern about number of GPs in Laois/Offaly

Speaking in the Dáil, Brian Stanley TD has raised his concerns about the “shockingly low” number of GPs in relation to the population of Laois and Offaly to Taoiseach Simon Harris.

“There is a chronic shortage of GPs in Laois and Offaly,” Deputy Stanley stated. “There are 37 practicing GPs in Laois, which is one for every 2483 of the population.”

“Five have resigned in the past two years, and four have retired, which is a loss on nine.”

“In Offaly, there are just 31 practising GPs,” Depty Stanley continued, “which breaks down to 2683 of the population to each GP, and there has been a loss of four in the past two years.

“The IMO recommends that it should be one GP for every 833 of population, but it is generally accepted that it should be approximately 1000 per GP.”

Deputy Stanley goes on to explain that there is two and a half times the number of people per GP in Laois/Offaly than there should be. He states that it is becoming “a real problem.”

“It is taking weeks to get appointments and it is difficult to get enrolled with a GP or get accepted at a practice. The result is that people are clogging up emergency departments because that is where they are going for GP services.”

“We need to train, recruit and retain more GPs.’’ Deputy Stanley states.

Deputy Stanley also adds that Taoiseach Simon Harris, “a former Minister for Health,” did not respond to the points raised.

To conclude, Deputy Stanley states, “The shortage of GP’s has now reached crisis points, and this is an issue I will pursue until Laois and Offaly has adequate GP cover for all of our people.’’

SEE ALSO: Crettyard brothers to lead charity walk for homeless charity in memory of late sister