Kildare needs own GP training programme — Heydon

Kildare has amongst the lowest number of GPs for its population in the country and is well below national and international average levels, writes Brian Byrne.

And Deputy Martin Heydon of Fine Gael wants a GP training programme in the county specifically aimed at attracting and retaining young general practitioners in the community.

Speaking in the Dail he noted that there are just 41 GP doctors per 100,000 people in Kildare, the fifth lowest ratio in the country.

“With up to a quarter of Kildare GPs due to retire in the coming decade, there is concern among local doctors whether there will be sufficient new GPs to replace them,” the deputy said. “Research has shown that the presence of a local and identifiable GP training programme is an effective way to retain GPs in a specific area.”

Deputy Heydon said there are some 20 GP trainers already working on specific programmes in the county, but he wants a dedicated programme set up in Kildare when a reorganisation of GP training will see the Irish College of General Practitioners taking over the training responsibility from the HSE.

“I want to specifically ensure that Kildare has a sufficient supply,” he said in conclusion.