There’s been an unprecedented level of interest in becoming a GP, according to figures released by the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), which confirm that 1,311 medical graduates have applied for GP training this year.
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, said: “The figures released by the ICGP show that general practice is building on its strong reputation as a worthwhile career choice for medical graduates. The government is committed to a reform agenda to achieve universal healthcare, where people can access the right care in the right place at the right time and general practice is at the core of that reform vision.
“The expansion in the number of training places for GPs to 350 in 2024 confirms the commitment to deliver this reform by increasing the number of GPs delivering essential services to patients. The increase in training to 350 places in 2024 is a 35% increase on the annual intake over 2022.” The Minister said he also supports the expansion of the ICGP’s non-EU doctors programme which will bring a further 250 this year in an accelerated adaptation programme.
The number of applicants for places on the GP training scheme has trebled since 2019. The number of GPs in training also increased from 120 in 2009, 258 in 2022 and 285 in 2023. The final phase of increasing the number of training places to 350 annually, originally scheduled for 2025, will now happen this year.
ICGP Chief Executive Officer, Fintan Foy, said: “It is very encouraging that so many doctors choose General Practice as their career, which offers a good work-life balance with strong career prospects and great opportunities to specialise. This also reflects the increased government funding in primary care, including Chronic Disease Management and the expansion in free GP care.”
The ICGP is working with stakeholders to establish new training schemes and/or additional day release within GP training schemes, and is liaising with the HSE NDTP, using a data-driven approach to target areas of high population growth and areas of unmet need.
