The new President of the Irish College of General Practitioners (June 2022 – May 2023) is Dr Paul Armstrong, a GP in the 7-partner practice in the Lifford and Castlefinn Primary Care Centres in Co Donegal.
Dr Armstrong replaces Prof. Tom O’Dowd, a GP in Tallaght and former Professor of General Practice in Trinity College Dublin.
The incoming vice-President is Dr Eamonn Shanahan, a GP in Farranfore Medical Centre, Co Kerry.
Dr Paul Armstrong is a native of Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, and qualified from the UCD School of Medicine in 1984, and graduated from the Sligo GP Training Programme in 1988.
He is married to Dr Anne Kilgallen, previous CEO of the Western Trust, and they have 3 sons.
Dr Armstrong holds several roles besides being a GP in Lifford in Donegal.
He has been the Medical Officer for the Lifford Community Hospital since 1989, and a Trainer with the Donegal GP Training Programme since 1992.
He has been the Chairman of the NoWDoc co-operative since 2001, and Chairman of the Habinteg Housing Association Ireland from 2011 to 2019.
As President of the ICGP, he brings his wide experience of general practice in a Primary Care Team (PCT) to a new role.
“General Practice is the cornerstone of the Irish health service, and this was proven beyond doubt during the COVID-19 pandemic, when there was a huge reliance on general practitioners to deliver care and then to deliver vaccines to vulnerable groups.
“GPs showed their flexibility and adaptability at a time of huge pressure on doctors and their staff.”
“But we face the challenges of increased workload with a growing GP shortage, particularly in rural Ireland. We urge the Government to recognise these challenges and work with the ICGP to help find innovative solutions to these challenges.”
Three long-standing Board members have also finished their terms on the Board of the ICGP.
- Dr Margaret O’Riordan, former President,
- Dr Velma Harkins, Chair of the Quality, Safety & Standards Committee,
- Dr Pat Durkan, a GP in the Moy Family Practice, Ballina, Co Mayo.
Ends
ISSUED BY: Aileen O’Meara, Communications Consultant, Irish College of General Practitioners.
Tel. 01 2542984 / 087 2239830
Email: ICGP.news@gmail.com
Photo credit: David Coleman, Bobby Studios.