There could be a major shortage of GPs in the north-west as many of them retire in the next 10 to 15 years, members of the North Western Health Board (NWHB)have been warned.
Over 75 per cent of practices in Sligo and Leitrim are run by one doctor, with the vast majority being in rural areas. In Donegal, the corresponding figure is 61 per cent.
According to the NWHB, 54 of the 122 GPs in the region are over 50, with 26 over the age of 55. It is estimated the area will need at least 54 replacement GPs in the next 10 to 15 years.
The North Western Health Board is beginning expanded training programmes to ensure that a major shortage of GPs is avoided. The annual intake of the Sligo GP training programme will increase from three to six trainees and the Donegal GP training programme from four to six trainees from July at a cost of €65,000. To meet the needs of the increased number of trainees, each programme will have to double its number of training practices over the next three years.
The expansion of both programmes will require additional annual funding of €820,000, when fully operational in 2007.
Over the next 14 years, a total of 160 GPs will graduate from the two training programmes.
But to fill all the posts in the north-west, the retention rate of graduates will need to rise to around 75 per cent from its present level of 50 per cent.