GP shortage leaves thousands seeking HSE help
Thousands of people don't have a GP, according to figures released by the HSE. Data provided to Newstalk shows over 5,700 people contacted the HSE this year after struggling to source their own GP.
Figures show the number of GPs in the country doesn't match the growing needs of the population, with the number of new GP's increasing by less than 200 between 2020 and 2025, compared with a population growth of over 480,000.
No new GPs opened up in Co Louth or Co Roscommon in the same time period, while Galway added four GPs over the five years, Co Mayo, Co Wexford, West Cork and Dun Laoighaire added two, and Co Clare added just one.
The HSE data, shared with BreakingNews.ie, also reveals the number of GPs who took on private contracts was double the number who took on public contracts between 2020 and 2025.
In 2020, there were 2,534 doctors providing care under the General Medical Services scheme (GMS), publicly contracted and delivering care to medical card holders. At the same time, there were 500 non-GMS doctors. In 2025 this had changed to 2,593 GMS doctors and 634 non-GMS doctors.
Speaking to Newstalk, Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane said: "What we are seeing at the moment is a lack of continuity of care, and that's what GPs are saying to me. The bedrock of the GP system and primary care is that you have a family doctor, you know your family doctor, you see the same GP. This is changing, unfortunately, because of the lack of capacity so people are contacting their GP and being told that the person is not available."
