Report finds GP shortage in north west

It’s emerged that no county in the north west has a satisfactory amount of GPs, in line with the World Health Organisation’s standards of care. A study from the Irish College of General Practitioners shows where counties align with the WHO’s recommendation of 100 GPs per 100,000 population. Figures published in the Irish Times show that there were 97 GPs in Sligo, 68 were recorded in Leitrim, while in Donegal, the figure was 95. Meath had the lowest level with 118 GPs, equating to 54 per 100,000, followed by Monaghan with a rate of 57 per 100,000. The report also shows Sligo lost almost one-tenth of its 75 with the figure slipping to 68 in the course of 12 months.Chairperson of the Irish Medical Organisation and Donegal GP says while the figures are disappointing, they are not surprising.