Shortage Of GPs Creating 'Medical Deserts' With The Issue Likely To Get Worse

Tuesday, 18 March 2025 14:34

By Martin Osborne

Kildare has just 66 GPs per 100,000 people.

A shortage of GPs in rural areas is creating 'medical deserts' with poor access to healthcare.

That's the finding of a new report which shows Ireland is one of just a few EU countries where the patient load for GPs has increased over the past decade.

Kildare has just 66 GPs per 100,000 people.

Many younger GPs prefer to work in bigger practices and some counties also have a higher percentage of GPs close to retirement.

Editor of 'The Journal Investigates' - Maria Delaney, says GPs now have an average of 100 extra people in their catchment area.

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