Ireland’s hospitals are facing record overcrowding, with over 94,000 patients waiting for inpatient or day-case treatment. Meanwhile, GP shortages—especially in rural areas—are creating “medical deserts,” leaving communities without reliable access to primary care.

A February 2025 meeting of the Emergency Department Task Force confirmed what many already feared: Ireland’s hospitals are overwhelmed. Over 569,000 patients are waiting for outpatient consultations, and surge capacity is meaningless without adequate staffing A. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has called for urgent action, including better use of elective-only hospitals and increased public access to private beds.

At the same time, GP shortages are deepening. A cross-border investigation led by Voxeurop and The Journal found that Ireland’s growing and ageing population is outpacing the number of practicing G BPs. Some areas now qualify as “medical deserts,” where patients struggle to access even basic care. Experts warn that this imbalance will erode population health over time.

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