Blog: Medical Workforce Intelligence Report 2023

The Medical Council has published its 2023 Medical Workforce Intelligence Report spotlighting the reliance on international doctors and the changing demographics of GPs in Ireland.

The report presents an analysis of data on doctors who have retained their place on the Medical Council’s medical register in 2023. It focuses on the clinically active medical workforce in Ireland, presenting quantitative analysis of demographics and divisional status, and details on employment and practise such as self-reported role, medical discipline and specialty, and working hours.

The data analysed and presented aims to inform future workforce planning, training, and education requirements to support the delivery of timely and high-quality care to patients.

Key Highlights

Commenting on the report, Medical Council President, Dr Suzanne Crowe said, “We’re pleased to present this report, which is the first of two reports analysing our registration data to be published this year.

“Our data highlights Ireland’s high reliance on international medical graduates (IMGs). It’s important that Ireland remains an attractive place for doctors and their families to stay and work here long-term. Our report cites research which states that lack of progression opportunities, fear of de-skilling, quality of training, excessive work hours and poor working conditions are among reasons why doctors seek to leave Ireland.

“As the National Taskforce on the NCHD Workforce has stated previously, quality training and proper induction for IMGs is essential for both patient care and for doctor wellbeing. Medical workforce shortages in Ireland highlight the need for greater supports to ensure we retain doctors and incentivise them to practise medicine in Ireland. 

Jantze Cotter, Executive Director, Regulatory Policy and Standards, Medical Council, added, “Participation of doctors in our research is vital in helping understand medical workforce trends. Our Research function within the Medical Council collates and analyses information to support and inform national workforce planning.

Later this year, the Medical Council will publish a follow up report focusing on doctors who left and also those who joined the Register in 2023.