Medical Workforce Intelligence Report 2023 spotlights reliance on international doctors and changing demographics of GPs

• Medical Council 2023 workforce data reveals that 19,328 doctors reported being clinically active in Ireland, all or some of the time.

• Just over one quarter (25.7%) of clinically active doctors in Ireland hold a basic medical qualification from outside of Ireland, the EU and the UK.

• A substantial proportion of GPs in Ireland (32.0%) are now close to retirement age; and a majority of the GP workforce is female, at 52.8%.

The Medical Council has today published its 2023 Medical Workforce Intelligence Report.

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 report ‘Spotlights’ several specialty cohorts, including Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs), General Practitioners, discipline of Medicine, Surgery, and Hospital Consultants. It highlights that a substantial proportion of doctors are close to retirement age and working in contravention of the European Working Times Directive (EWTD).

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.

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

Key Highlights

• Of the 24,794 doctors who retained their registration in 2023, 19,328(78%) self-reported that they were clinically active in Ireland, all, or some of the time in 2023. A small proportion of doctors did not answer this question and as such this may slightly underestimate the true number.
• Half (50.2%) of clinically active doctors working in Ireland were on the Specialist Division of the Register, 16.1% were on the Trainee Specialist Division; and 33.0% were on the General Division of the Register.
• In 2023, over a quarter (26.6%) of clinically active doctors working in Ireland self-reported working more than 48 hours a week on average, and a further 32.6% self-reported working between 40 – 48 hours per week.
• 53% (10,251) of clinically active doctors in Ireland were male, and 47% (9,077) were female.
• In 2023, 8,234 doctors worked as NCHDs, with just under half in training (48.6%), while the remainder were not in training (51.4%).
• From those NCHDs not in training, the top three countries in which doctors obtained their qualifications were Pakistan (26.7%), Ireland (22.1%), and Sudan (18.5%)

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. 

“I would encourage all doctors on the Register to contribute to the data in this report by completing the questions posed during the registration and retention process with the Medical Council. In doing so, doctors can support planning for an effective and well-resourced medical workforce in the future”, Dr Crowe added.  

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.

“Improving the overall experience, providing training opportunities for NCHDs and facilitating work life balance is essential to retaining and supporting doctors.  Effective and strategic workforce planning can be achieved through concerted collaboration amongst all stakeholders.” Ms Cotter concluded.

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.