Record number of doctors working in Ireland - report

Growing numbers of doctors in Ireland are women and trained abroad, according to the latest Medical Council report. Last year, 22,257 clinicians were practicing medicine in the country, marking a record high. Women made up 47.6 percent of clinically active doctors, continuing a gradual upward trend from 47.2 percent in 2024 and 47 percent in 2023. Among general practitioners, women constituted 53 percent of the 5,017-strong workforce. The report highlights the importance of understanding the evolving role of female doctors, particularly as older male physicians retire, to ensure a sustainable healthcare system. The report reveals that nearly a third of doctors received their initial medical qualifications outside the EU and United Kingdom. Of these, 29.5 percent were trained in countries other than Ireland, the EU, or the UK, a figure that has been steadily rising. In 2023, the percentage stood at 25.7 percent, and by 2024, it had increased to 27.8 percent. Pakistan was the most common country of origin for international graduates, contributing 41.7 percent of this group, while Sudan accounted for 20.3 percent. These figures underscore a growing reliance on overseas-trained professionals to meet the demands of the Irish healthcare sector. The average age of practicing doctors in Ireland was 43.6 years, with roughly one in five being 55 or older, nearing traditional retirement age. The gender distribution varied across age groups, with the 55-or-older cohort showing a majority of male doctors, 66 percent. The report also noted that 27.6 percent of doctors found it difficult to provide sufficient care to patients at least once a week, an increase from 26.1 percent in 2024. The primary challenge cited was excessive workloads, which affected 16.7 percent of respondents. Other frequently mentioned obstacles included bureaucratic tasks and overcrowded facilities. General practitioners faced the most severe challenges, with 34.7 percent reporting difficulties in providing adequate care at least weekly. The main barriers identified by GPs were administrative burdens, heavy workloads, and limited access to specialist opinions. Over 10 percent of GPs worked more than 48 hours a week, with a large portion of these extra hours attributed to non-clinical duties such as paperwork and administrative tasks. The report warns that such conditions could lead to higher rates of doctor attrition and compromise patient safety. The Medical Council’s President, Professor Deirdre J Murphy, acknowledged the diversity of the current medical workforce as a positive development. She emphasized that a broader range of professionals better serves the needs of a diverse population. However, she also stressed the urgent need to address systemic issues affecting both the quality of care and the well-being of medical staff. The report underscores the ongoing struggle to retain doctors who have trained within Ireland, as many face unsustainable workloads and high levels of stress. Looking ahead, the report suggests that continued efforts to reduce administrative pressures and improve working conditions will be essential to maintaining the health of the medical profession. With the aging population of current doctors and the increasing dependence on international recruits, strategic planning will be critical to ensuring long-term stability in Ireland's healthcare system. As the nation moves forward, balancing the benefits of a diverse workforce with the challenges of overwork and burnout will remain a central concern for policymakers and medical leaders alike.