While some parts of the family doctoring service are facing difficulties, one area is thriving. Locums are an essential part of the system, providing hard-working GPs with cover for holidays, sickness, a night off, or simply a couple of hours break to do vital paperwork.
In the past, locums have been seen as second best, even suspect in some ways, with many in the medical community asking why these doctors don't have full-time posts?
However, times have changed and many full-time doctors are looking enviously at the freedoms locums enjoy.
One company, Locumotion - which helps arrange locums for Irish practices - is run by Dr Ray Power.
Based at the UCD campus, it has links all over the world. And with its close ties to the UCD Medical School each locum is treated like a "Clinical Fellow" and is able to undertake a series of courses to learn new skills.
"In the past locums have found themselves isolated and unable to benefit from that professional development," he says.
"Here these doctors have the support of their colleagues, and can continue to increase their skills and knowledge."
Dr Power, is passionate about the beneficial effects of sabbaticals, and is a believer in the dictum "a change is as good as a rest".
As such he also offers Irish GPs the chance to travel to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa for a few months as locums themselves and to learn new skills at local Medical Schools and Universities.
"Not only do the doctors themselves find their batteries recharged," he says "but the families also get a lot out of the experience."