GP Gaps Post-Pregnancy Flagged As Concern For New Mothers Across Kildare

Thursday, 11 December 2025 14:26

By Martin Osborne - Head Of News

Parts of Kildare are now among the worst areas in the country for access to a GP, according to new population-to-doctor figures.

The National Maternity Experience Survey 2025, which captures women’s experiences within Ireland’s maternity services, has identified several areas of concern.

Compared with the 2020 survey, women reported declines in the information provided about physical changes and nutrition during pregnancy, the support they received with feeding their baby at home, and the communication they had with their GPs after birth.

Over 200 women across Kildare and West Wicklow took part in the survey.

Thirty percent of women reported poor communication about their pregnancy care between maternity services and their GP.

Twenty-five percent said they did not have the opportunity to ask questions about their labour and birth shortly after their baby was born.

Twenty percent felt they did not receive enough mental-health support after giving birth.

Issues around access to a GP post-pregnancy were also flagged.

Parts of Kildare are now among the worst areas in the country for access to a GP, according to new population-to-doctor figures.

South Kildare and west Wicklow have nearly 3,200 patients for every GP, while north-west Kildare is close to 3,000 to one.

East Kildare and the Blessington area also remain under pressure, with more than 2,380 patients per GP.

The figures place Kildare alongside east Meath and parts of west Dublin as some of the most overstretched regions in the country for GP coverage based on population to GP ratios.

The figures are based on population figures from the 2022 census and matches them against GP numbers recorded across health networks in 2024.

In 2025, women indicated positive interactions with healthcare staff, with 81% reporting they always felt treated with respect and dignity while they were pregnant, while 71% said they had confidence and trust in the healthcare professionals caring for them during their labour and birth.

Speaking on Kildare Today, HIQA's Conor Foley explained some of the concerns outlined in the Maternity experience survey.