Kerry GP urges doctors to consider joining practices in rural Ireland

Dr Brian O'Donovan at his practice in Caherciveen, Co Kerry: 'It’s not clear why people don’t want to come and work here. It’s a chronic problem all over Ireland. Picture: Alan Landers

A Kerry GP nearing retirement has called for creative thinking around recruitment for rural areas, saying he is caring for 1,400 patients since his partner retired.

Patients around Ireland are seeing delays as appointments for routine care are pushed out for two weeks or more. However, rural areas and urban deprived areas are particularly challenged.