Unequal access to GP care is exacerbating inequality between our communities

Marie Sherlock

07 December 2025

Unequal access to GP care is exacerbating inequality between our communities - The Labour Party

• East Meath, Lucan and North Inner City Dublin have poorest ratios of GPs to population 

• National average is 1,759 people to one GP 

• Labour Party to introduce legislation requiring the HSE to ensure that GPs are distributed fairly across all parts of the country

Labour’s health spokesperson Marie Sherlock TD has said disadvantaged communities and areas of the country seeing significant population growth are struggling with GP care.

Following analysis carried out by Deputy Sherlock mapping Regional Population Profiles with stands of GP care, Deputy Sherlock said longer waiting times to get an appointment and increased pressure on GPs and staff, as well as difficulties faced by families who have recently moved into an area to find a GP are just some of the consequences of poor ratios of GPs to population.

Deputy Sherlock said:

“GPs are typically the first port of call in our health system for when we need medical care. They are a vital pathway to further care; in determining referrals to specialists, to hospital and to other primary care services. However, a mapping exercise carried out by my office reveals a stark and concerning picture when it comes to the level of GP care nationwide.

“Lower GP to population ratios has a very real impact for patients in terms of the time it takes for them to get an appointment and in getting timely access to care.

“Take East Meath for example, the area with the poorest population to GP ratio. In an area with 5,090 people, there is only one GP.

“The picture is stark in the North Inner City in Dublin where there are 3,525 people to 1 GP, and in Cabra where 3,060 people are reliant on 1 GP. Meanwhile, close by in Clontarf, the ratio is one GP to 1,500 people.

“The outcome of all of this is that some communities are deprived of timely and appropriate health care.

“My own constituency in Dublin Central has some of the most socially-deprived communities in the country and all too often, I have people come to me struggling to get access to a GP or seriously concerned at the length of time to get an appointment.

“The impact of delayed access and diagnosis by a GP is serious; it impacts a person’s wellbeing, their ability to work and their health outcomes. Delayed access to GP care can mean delayed diagnosis and poorer health outcomes.

“As the Lancet note, the inaccessibility of Ireland’s primary care system is placing tremendous strain on our hospitals.

“As my analysis reveals, poorer communities and areas of the country seeing significant population growth are struggling with access to GP care. The consequences on a personal level are serious. It also results in increased demand on our already stretched hospital system. We talk about the importance of primary care but do next to nothing to ensure every community has timely access to GP care. This needs to change.

“Government must grapple with the twin challenges of significant population growth in certain areas and the reality that disadvantaged communities have higher care needs and fewer GPs to provide that care.

“The Labour Party will introduce legislation requiring the HSE to ensure that GPs are distributed fairly across all parts of the country, and to plan for future need in areas of population growth.

“We also need to change the funding system so that the level of medical need in a community is given consideration in financial supports provided by the HSE.

“Resourcing and enhancing our GP services is a vital step in providing the healthcare system our country needs. As we enter into the flu season, we see many hospitals are already struggling with increased numbers attending emergency departments nationwide. Through proper and thoughtful resourcing of our GP care system, we could avoid this winter surge. Throwing the cards up in the air and seeing where they land won’t wash anymore. People and communities need and deserve better.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The data can be downloaded at this link: https://labour.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GP-Per-Community-Health-Network-Area-Population.zip

The national average is 1,759 people to 1 GP.

Below ranks the areas with the worst GP to population ratios as per the data supplied.