Donegal has higher than average number of GPs - report

Donegal has a higher than average number of GPs, according to a recent report. The Irish Times reported at the weekend that the county has 80 GPs per 100,000 population. Data provided by the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) shows Monaghan has the lowest coverage per capita, with a range of 50 to 52 family doctors per 100,000 population, followed by Roscommon (59 to 61 per 100,000), Kilkenny (64 to 66 per 100,000) and Meath (67 to 69 per 100,000). Conversely, Sligo has the highest GP coverage per capita, with a range of 121 to 125 GPs per 100,000, followed by Westmeath at 115 to 120 per 100,000 and Galway at 105 to 109 GPs per 100,000. GP shortages are most acute in commuter belts and rural areas, an analysis has found, as population growth and an ageing workforce continues to put pressure on community healthcare services. The ICGP acknowledged that while the GP workforce had expanded in recent years, it “cannot meet current patient healthcare needs”. Read the full report on www.irishtimes.com