2 in 3 trainee GPs may leave Ireland

Only one in three trainee GPs "definitely" plan to stay in Ireland when they complete their specialist training, it has emerged.

Also, substantial numbers find the financial and employer responsibilities of being a principal or partner GP unattractive.

A career survey by the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), which represents more than 90% of GPs in Ireland, found that while more than half of the current GP trainees are undecided about emigrating, 13.1% are definitely planning to do so. However, the number of GP trainees planning to stay in Ireland after they qualify, at 33%, is up from 28% in 2014.