A group representing rural doctors has called for a level playing field for GPs in medical practices to help with recruitment and retention in remote areas.
Chair of the Rural Island and Dispensing Doctors of Ireland [RIDDI] Jerry Cowley said doctor are "not being supported to carry out house calls and that people are landing up in A and E and they're now talking about going on strike".
Along with calling for the reinstatement of "distance code" that was removed as a factor in calculating GP fees and allowances in 2010, Dr Cowley has called for the appointment of a second GP position in single-handed rural practices.
"We need to sort out this situation. Doctors are not going to rural Ireland because they’re not guaranteed holiday leave, and everybody wants their holiday leave," he said.
Issues in filling retired GP positions were discussed at the Rural Island and Dispensing Doctors of Ireland annual conference in Mulranny, Co Mayo.
Dr Marion Broderick, who was the GP on Inis Mór, Oileáin Árann for several decades told RTÉ News that her position remains vacant, covered through a locum service.
"I retired two years ago. My job has been advertised numerous times and there hasn’t been a single applicant," she said.
"Conditions need to change. Massive incentives are needed for young doctors to remain in rural areas."
The conference heard that the relatively new International Medical Graduate programme has provided some relief to rural practices.
The initiative of the Irish College of General Practitioners [ICGP] supported by the HSE and the Irish Medical Council enables experienced international graduates to work in general practice for two years as part of a self-directed learning programme with mentorship and support.
Dr Máire O’Donnell, a GP in Broadford, Co Limerick told RTÉ News that a graduate from Burma who came to her rural practice two years ago "had made a tremendous contribution".
"He has fitted in marvelously. He is in the process of buying a house in the area and his children are in school. He enjoys our rural practice and has made a commitment to it," she said.
Dr O’Donnell said the Burmese GP has allowed her to spend more time with patients, paperwork while allowing her to cut back on time in the practice.
"It’s been essential for our practice, actually," she said.
ICGP Vice President Dr Velma Harkins told RTÉ News that the first cohort from the International Medical Graduate programme will graduate in a fortnight.
"It’s been a joy and wonderful to bring these doctors into remote, rural areas and see the difference they’re making to doctors and patients in those areas," she said.
Dr Harkis said the programme "allows people to succession plan" so that "when they leave that there’s somebody in their practice to provide a service for those patients".
In a statement, the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll Mac Neill said the Government is "committed, as per the Programme for Government, to improving access to GP services for all".
The minister said that the GP locum cover support initiative announced in May reflects a "commitment to ensuring that rural communities have consistent and dependable access to healthcare, when and where they need".
"Ensuring that GPs in rural and remote areas can access reliable locum cover is essential to supporting these vital healthcare providers," the minister said.
"It allows them to take the leave, they deserve, knowing that their patients will continue to receive high-quality care in their absence"
