Rural Ireland suffers from a GP shortage crisis. Locals are left to wait months for an appointment which is crucial to an ageing population.
In Ireland, a GP referral is mandatory to meet up with a specialist. A doctor shortage means it would take longer to get a GP appointment; it’s equivalent to a denial to access to healthcare. International medical graduates need to go through a two-year training course to qualify as a doctor for the Irish healthcare system. It’s not affecting the patients alone doctors too find it hard to spend a day off or go on holidays. Elderly patients often have chronic conditions that need constant monitoring and management like diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol to name a few. This complicates the situation when the patient is miles away from receiving treatment! International doctors have to qualify an exam that takes 4 years for an Irish medical student in two years time. Even specialised operations require a GP checkup!
Long waiting lists to the GP and few doctors are the two problems that the Irish healthcare system needs to address.
Credit: https://youtu.be/xeKwzLsh3aI?si=5H3uQuusYOBudpLt (ARTE.tv Documentary), https://www.alamy.com/idyllic-rural-landscape-with-cottage-and-driveway-at-the-killarney-lakes-killarney-county-kerry-ireland-image334145317.html?imageid=00D57D4A-D09E-419F-8F20-90D494BCB627&p=1140614&pn=1&searchId=24b30df1d49931729397865ab5bc50c1&searchtype=0
Scriveners Online© 