Acute shortage of GPs

The country’s 34 general practitioners struggle to serve a population of nearly 54,000.

“We have had an acute GP shortage for years,” says Marjus Dam, chairman of the General Practitioners’ Association.

“The previous government increased the number of GPs from 32 to 34, but the current government is not doing much to further improve the situation.”

He has informed current health minister Kaj Leo Holm Johannesen that 50 GPs are required to achieve a satisfactory service level.

“He has a lot of good intentions, but we are still awaiting direct action.”

Few applicants for GP vacancies

It has proved difficult in recent years to fill GP vacancies

“Many qualified doctors hesitate to apply for GP positions because they know they will be facing a massive workload,” says Dam.

Nine of the 34 GP positions are manned by substitute doctors, meaning that more than 12,700 citizens currently do not have a permanent GP.

“It is far from ideal to continue with this high proportion of substitute doctors as they do not know their patients, and in many cases they are even unfamiliar with the most basic functions of our health system.”

A solution is underway

The health minister says he is fully aware of the problem and that he is doing everything he can to solve the problem.

“The health authorities are struggling to keep up with the rapid population growth we are seeing,” he says.

“It is difficult to make long-term plans in our health system, partly due to changing governments, but I am seeking funding to appoint two or three additional GPs this year.”

The minster cannot promise exact numbers of new GPs for every subsequent year, but he agrees with Dam that 50 GPs is a fair target.

“I will look at ways of making it more attractive and sustainable to work as a permanent GP. Our goal is to have 50 GPs in five to ten years’ time.”

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

More Faroese News in English.