Young GPs choose to emigrate
IRELAND is sleepwalking into a major crisis, with a serious shortage of GPs in the pipeline for rural areas.
That is according to local Fianna Fáil TD Anne Rabbitte, who raised the issue this week with The Tuam Herald.
Reports last year revealed that 30 per cent of GPs in Galway will reach retirement age six years from now. The reports showed that nationally 666 GPs are older than 60 years of age, while 244 are older than 65. The average retirement age for GPs is 67 years.
Deputy Rabbitte says the situation is now the biggest crisis looming for rural Ireland.
“The age demographic of the GPs is worrying," she said. "They are all heading for 60 rather than 35. If we lose GPs then people in rural Ireland will have no choice but to travel further for services.”
That is according to local Fianna Fáil TD Anne Rabbitte, who raised the issue this week with The Tuam Herald.
Reports last year revealed that 30 per cent of GPs in Galway will reach retirement age six years from now. The reports showed that nationally 666 GPs are older than 60 years of age, while 244 are older than 65. The average retirement age for GPs is 67 years.
Deputy Rabbitte says the situation is now the biggest crisis looming for rural Ireland.
“The age demographic of the GPs is worrying," she said. "They are all heading for 60 rather than 35. If we lose GPs then people in rural Ireland will have no choice but to travel further for services.”