The number of GPs across Galway is drastically below the recommended international minimum.
New figures indicate there are only 73 general practitioners per 100,000 population in Galway, despite the World Health Organisation prescribing 100 GPs per 100,000.
Because of Ireland’s ageing population, the Irish College of GPs recommends 110 doctors per 100,000 population, and last month warned shortages were most acute in commuter belt and rural areas.
Over the past five years, only four new GP positions have been created across Galway city and county, while the number of HSE family doctors accepting medical card holders has actually decreased.
Despite the population of the city and county growing by approximately 25,000 residents from 2020 to 2025, the number of GPs increased to just 204 by December last year, compared to 200 family doctors in December 2020.
The latest figures, obtained by Sinn Féin’s health spokesman, David Cullinane TD, show there are currently 174 GPs in Galway with HSE contracts, and 30 solely in private practice. Five years ago, there was one more GP in Galway on the HSE’s General Medical Service contract. This public service contract allows them to accept patients with medical cards and GP visit cards.
In 2020, there were 175 General Medical Services (GMS ) GPs on a HSE contract in Galway, and 25 without.
Across the country, there are currently 3,227 General Practitioners according to statistics Deputy Cullinane obtained in two parliamentary questions this week. This is a six per cent increase from 3,034 family doctors five years ago.
These figures show the Galway Local Health Office (LHO ) area is three times behind the national average in percentage terms, with just a 2 per cent increase during the same period.
The World Health Organisation recommends 100 GPS per 100,000 population; Galway currently has just 73 doctors per 100,000 residents. This figure does not reflect additional pressures put on GPs for medical and prescription services requested by some of the 1.7 million foreign visitors and 984,000 domestic visitors to Galway last year.
Almost 6,000 people have contacted the HSE already this year seeking help in registering with a GP.
The number of GPs treating patients with medical cards has risen by just 2.3 per cent nationally between 2020 and 2025, although the number of GPs entering private practice has increased by a whopping 26.8 per cent.
In Galway, medical card doctor numbers have gone in the opposite direction, decreasing by 0.6 per cent. The number of private practitioners has increased by 20 per cent.
According to Dr Knut Moe, Chair of the Board of the Irish College of GPs, in 2024, almost 29 million GP and practice nurse consultations took place across Ireland. Every day, general practice delivers more than 75,000 consultations, over 350,000 prescriptions, 1,700 chronic disease health checks and 1,000 childhood vaccinations.
