Health Minister confirms increase in GP training places

Health Minister Robin Swann has confirmed his acceptance of a recommendation from a GP expert working group, to increase the number of GP training places by 10 for the upcoming academic year.

Implementing the recommendation would see a record 121 training places delivered in Northern Ireland in 2022/23.

An update is also provided on the next phase of the rollout of the primary care Multi-disciplinary Teams (MDT) programme.

The Minister said:  “I am only too aware of the pressure that GP services are under. My Department has made significant investment in the GP workforce in recent years, increasing the number of places available by 70% from 2015 levels.”

“Despite this increase, GP services have been under increasing pressure, with some Practices, in particular in rural areas, deemed at risk due to difficulties in recruitment and retention of GPs.

“I previously established a working group to explore issues relating to the GP workforce, to ensure we have the workforce in Primary Care we need going forward. Whilst its work is still ongoing, the working group has recommended an immediate increase of 10 additional GP training places as an interim measure.

“Following careful consideration, I have accepted this recommendation, subject to the necessary approvals.

“GPs are a key component of our health workforce. Just as I previously increased the number of nursing and midwifery student places to an overall high of 1,325; increasing the number of GP Training places to an all-time high of 121 GP training places for the upcoming year would be an important step towards stabilising our GP workforce and making sure it is sustainable for the future. This will complement other ongoing work to strengthen primary care services."

The Primary Care Multi-disciplinary Teams (MDTs) Programme introduces new physiotherapy, social work and mental health roles into general practice, to work alongside enhanced levels of nursing and the existing practice team.

The Minister said: “The MDT Programme has been a key priority for me and work has been ongoing on developing plans for the further roll-out of the model. I am pleased that, as a result of that work, we have now an agreed way forward for the further rollout.

“I hope to soon see the MDT model in place across all of Northern Ireland but, given further rollout of is dependent on the availability of funding and workforce, it has to be staged. The next three proposed GP federations for the MDT programme are North Belfast, South West (Fermanagh & Omagh) and East Antrim – all areas that are hugely deserving of this important programme.

“There is further work to be done, not least on securing the budget necessary to progress the rollout at pace, however it means that GP Federations and HSC Trusts can now start to work in earnest with the MDT Programme team on plans for rollout in their areas.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Currently 111 GP training places are offered in Northern Ireland. The increase of 10 additional places is for the 2022/23 academic year, with future increases to be informed by completion of the work of the working group.

2.    The proposed running order for further rollout of the MDT model is as follows:

3.    The pace of further rollout of the MDT model is dependent on the future budget allocation.

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