Kildare town sees GP retiring with elderly people left travelling to Monasterevin

The retirement of a Kildare Town GP is increasing pressure on  needs  for  services in the area, according to a local politician.

Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin said: “My office in Kildare Town has been contacted by patients of a retiring GP who have been told to travel to Monasterevin until a new GP is found.  These constituents who are in their 70’s, have been unable to enrol with another GP in the area due to full surgery lists in those practices.  I have also been informed of long waiting times to access appointments so clearly there is a capacity issue for GP practices in the town.”

Deputy O’Loughlin had previously raised the issue of GP numbers in relation to parents of children under six years who were having difficulty enrolling their children into a GP practice.  Kildare is in the lowest 20% nationally for the number of GP’s per head of population and the retirement of a Kildare Town GP has exacerbated the situation there.  15% of GP’s in Kildare are set to retire in the next 10 years and succession planning cannot take place due to the fact that there is no established feeder scheme into the county.

The Programme for Partnership Government committed to increasing the number of GP training places to 259 places annually. In July 2016, the GP training intake increased from 157 to 172 places and the HSE's 2017 National Service Plan envisages a further increase, to 187 places this year.

International research indicates that a training scheme committed to a particular region will lead to retention in the area. It takes 5 years after medical school to train a GP during that time, a link and loyalty is built in a certain area. In order to build up this form of habitual association, a Kildare GP scheme is required which help to increase the supply of GPs in the county.  A Kildare based GP scheme would work towards making general practice throughout the County a fulfilling and rewarding career option.

Deputy O’Loughlin said: “I have made enquiries with the HSE regarding the provision of a new GP in Kildare Town as I am conscious that elderly and unwell constituents may not be in a position to travel to Monasterevin for medical appointments.  I am determined that the people of Kildare have timely access to a health service in their community. Plans must be put in place in order to ensure that the future manpower needs of general practice can be met.”