The HSE has recognised that some patients in Wexford are “experiencing difficulties” access medical care. It comes as a new report shows that there are 139 GPs working in Wexford, which accounts for 2.8pc of the country’s total number.
Launched by the Medical Council of Ireland, the Medical Workforce Intelligence Report 2025 shows that GPs and doctors in training reported the greatest strain under “continuing workload and bureaucracy pressures.”
In 2025, there were 5,017 GPs throughout Ireland, an increase of 5.3% from the 2024 figure. Almost one-third of doctors reported never experiencing difficulties providing patients with sufficient levels of care. However, more than one-quarter experienced such difficulties at least once a week or more often.
The most commonly reported barriers identified by doctors were pressure on workloads, time spent on administration and bureaucracy, and overcrowding.
GPs reported the highest rate of difficulty providing safe patient care of any group of doctors, with 34.7pc experiencing barriers at least weekly.
GPs aged 34 and under were more likely to report barriers than any other age group. A fifth of the GP workforce is approaching typical retirement age.
Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, T.D., launching the report, said: “High-quality workforce intelligence is essential if we are to plan effectively for the future health needs of our population and ensure patients continue to receive timely and high-quality care. I welcome the growth in doctor numbers and the continued progress towards greater gender balance across the profession. At the same time, the report highlights challenges around medical workforce supply, workload and long-term workforce sustainability.”
The HSE has said it recognises that some people in Wexford are “experiencing difficulties” in accessing a GP and that patients seeking to register privately should contact practises directly.
Earlier this month, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane TD, said the Government have failed to ensure GP services kept pace with Ireland’s growing population, leaving thousands of people struggling to access a family doctor.
HSE figures obtained by Deputy Cullinane showed that while Ireland’s population increased by approximately 10pc between 2020 and 2025, the total number of GPs increased by just 6.4pc.
Calls have been made for the HSE to provide sufficient supports to ease access to a family doctor as the number of GMS doctors in Wexford has reduced over the last six years.
The most recent census in 2022 found that the population of Wexford grew by 9pc to 163,919, which means the number of people in the county rose by 14,197 between April 2016 and April 2022.
“Patients seeking to register privately should contact GP practices directly to inquire about availability,” a spokesperson for the HSE said.
“Where a person holds a medical card or GP visit card and is unable to find a GP to accept them after approaching at least three GPs, or fewer where there are fewer practices in the area, the HSE’s Eligibility Unit can assign them to a participating GP under the General Medical Services contract.”