Ireland’s Healthcare Workforce Forecast 2026: What Locum Doctors Should Expect

Ireland’s healthcare system is entering 2026 under sustained pressure. Workforce shortages, demographic shifts and ongoing reform mean demand for medical professionals remains high, particularly for locum doctors. Whether you are already working in Ireland or considering locum opportunities here, understanding the workforce outlook can help you make informed career decisions.

This forecast brings together national workforce planning insights, healthcare trends and service demands to outline what locum doctors can realistically expect in 2026.

Continued Workforce Shortages Across the Health System

Despite ongoing recruitment initiatives, Ireland continues to experience staffing gaps across multiple medical disciplines. Population growth, longer life expectancy and increasing chronic disease prevalence are placing sustained pressure on services.

Long-term workforce planning from the Department of Health indicates that even with increased training places and international recruitment, shortfalls will persist in the short to medium term. As a result, locum doctors remain essential to maintaining service continuity across hospitals, GP practices and community care settings.

For locums, this translates into strong, consistent demand rather than short-term cover alone.

Where Demand for Locum Doctors Will Be Strongest in 2026

General Practice & Primary Care

General practice continues to face recruitment and retention challenges, particularly outside major urban centres. An ageing GP workforce, increasing patient complexity and workload pressures mean many practices rely on locum cover to remain operational.

Locum GPs can expect ongoing opportunities in:

• Rural and semi-rural practices
• Maternity and sick-leave cover
• Seasonal demand surges

Acute & Hospital-Based Specialties

Hospitals remain under strain due to overcrowding, delayed discharges and rota gaps. Specialties expected to see continued locum demand include:

• Emergency medicine
• Internal medicine
• Surgery
• Anaesthetics

Slow progression through specialist training pipelines means these gaps are unlikely to close quickly.

Mental Health & Community Services

Ireland’s shift towards community-based and integrated care models is increasing demand for doctors in mental health and multidisciplinary teams. Locum roles are expanding beyond hospitals into community clinics, outreach services and specialist programmes, offering greater role variety for doctors seeking flexible working patterns.

Policy Reform, Funding & Workforce Planning

Government healthcare budgets continue to prioritise workforce expansion, particularly in community care and chronic disease management. However, training and retention lag behind service demand.

Workforce strategies increasingly acknowledge the need for:

• International recruitment
• Flexible staffing models
• Greater reliance on temporary and locum clinicians

For locum doctors, this reinforces the long-term relevance of locum work rather than treating it as a stop-gap solution.

Technology, Digital Systems & the Locum Experience

Healthcare modernisation is also shaping locum roles. Greater use of:

• Electronic health records
• Digital rostering
• Telemedicine and virtual consultations

means locum doctors are increasingly expected to adapt quickly to different systems. Doctors with strong digital literacy may find themselves better positioned for higher-demand placements, including hybrid or remote-supported roles.

What This Means for Locum Doctors Planning 2026

If you are considering locum work in Ireland, the outlook for 2026 is positive:

• Demand remains high across multiple specialties
• Flexibility is increasingly valued, particularly in community and integrated care
• International doctors continue to play a vital role in the Irish health system
• Adaptability and system familiarity will strengthen your employability

Locum work offers a balance of flexibility, career development and stability. Particularly in a healthcare system that continues to rely on skilled temporary clinicians.

Final Thoughts

Ireland’s healthcare workforce challenges are not expected to ease significantly in 2026. For locum doctors, this presents ongoing opportunity, variety and security. By staying informed and working with an experienced recruitment partner, you can position yourself to take advantage of the evolving landscape.

Thinking about locum work in Ireland in 2026?
At Locum Express, we support doctors at every stage of their locum journe from registration and compliance to finding roles that suit your experience and lifestyle.

Register today to explore current locum opportunities across Ireland or speak with our specialist recruitment team for tailored advice.