Irish College of General Practitioners marks a significant milestone in GP Training with the official opening of a new facility for Cork GP Training Scheme at St Mary’s Health Campus in Gurranabraher.
Enhanced new learning environment for GPs coincides with expansion of GP training in the region.
Embargoed 5pm Wednesday December 7th 2022
The Irish College of General Practitioners, the professional and training body for General Practice in Ireland, has welcomed the official opening of its new fit-for-purpose GP training facility for the Cork GP Training Scheme at St Mary’s Health Campus, in Gurranabraher in Cork today (7th December 2022).
The new facility provides an enhanced and larger learning environment for GP training in the city and region, with plans for further expansion.
It also represents a strong partnership between the ICGP, the HSE, UCC and Cork City Council.
The ICGP’s National Director of GP Training, Dr Martin Rouse, said “This is a significant milestone in the history of GP training in Cork. From its establishment in the early 70’s the Cork GP Training Scheme has maintained huge support from the General Practice community, the old Southern Health Board (now HSE) and in particular University College Cork. The links with UCC have always been strong and while moving some distance from the main UCC campus on the Western Road, this modern fit-for-purpose facility will continue these links and ensure a healthy future for the training of General Practitioners for the region. “
He added: “It is a tribute to the vision of past Directors of GP Training in the region from Dr Owen Shorten, Prof Bill Shannon, Dr Harry Comber and most recently Dr Paddy Ryan whose foresight and persistence was key to delivering this wonderful facility.”
The ICGP is leading an unprecedented expansion in GP training numbers nationally, to help meet GP shortages, impending retirements and the growing diversity of GP services in primary care.
Last month, the ICGP received a record 968 applications for the 2023 GP Training Programme, reflecting the growing popularity of general practice as a career for medical graduates.
Dr. Rouse said: “There are currently 932 trainees enrolled in the GP Training Programme across the country, and we have increased our training numbers by 60% in the past 6 years.”
The Director of the Cork GP Training Scheme, Dr Sheila Rochford, welcomed representatives from UCC, the HSE and the Lord Mayor’s office to the official opening.
She said “We are delighted to be based here in Gurranabraher, while keeping our close links with UCC. The expansion of GP training in the region will help strengthen primary healthcare services, and it’s a recognition of the strong support we receive from the HSE that this facility is now in place. From an intake of 12 training places per year we now have 24 places per year and , we have now almost 80 trainees on site, and we look forward to growing those numbers in coming years.”
ENDS
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Press photography for the event is supplied by the Provision photography agency.
Please contact Michael at 087 255 7884.
GOOGLE LINK TO LOCATION
LOCATION: St Mary’s Health Campus, Gurranabraher, Cork.
Google Maps link https://goo.gl/maps/UegU6LHJmxp4KFmv8
ISSUED BY: Aileen O’Meara, Communications Consultant, Irish College of General Practitioners.
Tel. 01 2542984 / 087 2239830 Email: ICGP.news@gmail.com