A MAJOR shortage of GPs in East Limerick and bordering East Clare is threatening healthcare in both areas.
A new analysis of GP coverage and work nationwide by the Department of Health shows that East Clare has the lowest number of GPs on a regional population basis with just 0.35 GPs per 1,000 people – 44 per cent lower than the national estimate of 0.63.
East Limerick was shown to have a similarly low number of whole-time equivalent (WTE) GPs relative to other areas.
On the other side of the scale, South Limerick City has a high number of GPs per head of population with one or more WTE GPs per 1,000 people.
The Supply and Demand of General Practice in Ireland study, published last week, showed that while there are new GPs coming into the field to replace ageing and retiring practitioners, “inadequate succession planning for retirement may be a risk to the stable supply of GP services in some areas, with single GP practices making up half of the risk group”.
The study also found that some GPs are delaying retirement in areas where they are the only available cover.
And the Department of Health has also warned that because of the private nature of GP practice in Ireland, the information gleaned is not as clear as it might be.
Meanwhile, the Limerick-based MatchMedics “Next Stop Ireland” recruitment roadshow has been working to bring doctors from South Africa to help fill the gaps in cover.
The medical recruitment agency has completed an international recruitment drive which, they say, could bring over 100 new doctors to Ireland in the next 18 months.
MatchMedics conducted a nationwide roadshow across South Africa in March, engaging over 3,000 doctors and showcasing opportunities to live and work in Ireland. Over 800 attended in person, with many already in interview stages with Irish employers.
“Ireland is grappling with chronic shortages of GPs and hospital doctors, particularly in rural counties. With a growing, ageing population and increased retirements in the medical workforce, the issue has become a top healthcare concern,” a spokesman said.
“We met hundreds of brilliant doctors, many ready to move to Ireland within months. But this isn’t just about filling roles — it’s about helping Ireland build a sustainable, diverse, and world-class medical workforce. Our goal is to match the right doctors to the right communities, where they’ll thrive professionally and personally.”
