The Department of Health has announced a new locum support programme set to begin in Summer 2025, aimed at assisting 239 General Practitioners (GPs) working in rural and remote areas across Ireland. The initiative was unveiled by Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill as part of the 2023 GP Agreement, designed to strengthen access to care in underserved communities.
Under the scheme, the Health Service Executive (HSE) will fund the cost of securing locum doctors—temporary replacements who can provide clinical cover—while the GPs will continue to pay the locum’s wages. The measure addresses a long-standing concern among rural doctors, especially the more than 130 single-handed GPs who struggle to take planned leave due to difficulty sourcing qualified cover.
“This government is committed, as per the Programme for Government, to improving access to GP services for all,” said Minister Carroll MacNeill, in comments published by the Department of Health. “It allows [GPs] to take the leave they deserve, knowing that their patients will continue to receive high-quality care in their absence.”
The HSE will operationalise the programme using its COVID-era Relationship Manager Model, which proved effective in managing GP engagement during the pandemic. Each eligible GP will be contacted directly by a Relationship Manager, who will help match them with suitable locums for up to two weeks of leave during the summer months. The process includes a personalised assessment of each practice’s clinical needs to ensure locums are properly qualified for the role.
Feedback from GPs and recruitment agencies will be collected throughout the summer to refine the programme ahead of future rollouts. A formal review will follow, focusing on utilisation patterns, peak demand periods, and lessons learned.
The initiative follows increased investment in general practice. According to Department of Health figures, GP payments from the HSE rose from €560 million in 2019 to approximately €955 million in 2024—a 70% increase—reflecting the broader goals of the 2023 GP Agreement to enhance primary care capacity, improve practice sustainability, and expand chronic disease management services.
For more information, eligible GPs will be contacted by their HSE Relationship Manager in the coming days.
Sources:
- Department of Health, Government of Ireland: gov.ie – Minister for Health announces GP locum cover support
- HSE General Medical Services data, 2024
The Department of Health, Ireland Picture from Linkedin
