Pat Carey
Question:458 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the statement in a national newspaper (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26966/01]
Written Answers. - General Medical Services Scheme.
The statement provided by the Deputy from a national newspaper is factually inaccurate in several key areas.
The Government decided to extend full eligibility under the general medical services to all persons aged 70 and over with effect from 1 July of this year in the context of budget 2001. The capitation rate of £345 – 438.06 – per annum now payable in respect of individuals benefiting from this decision is a negotiated figure which reflects the outcome of the industrial relations discussions between my Department and the Irish Medical Organisation.
Any person aged 70 and over who previously held a medical card, or applies now on a means related basis, attracts an annual capitation fee of between £71.24 – 90.46 – and £127.90 – 162.40 – depending upon the sex of the person and his or her distance from the GP. The capitation fee only covers visits by the patient to see the GP at regular scheduled surgery times. Any consultations a medical card holder has with his or her GP outside these hours attracts an out of hours payment of between £26 – 33.01 – and £52.03 – 66.06 – per consultation – again depending on the distance of the cardholder from the GP; an additional supplementary payment £20.30 – 25.76 – is payable in the event of a GP seeing more than one patient on a single trip.
In addition, allowances are granted to contract holding GPs in respect of practice nurses, practice secretaries and locums. These allowances are directly related to the size and composition of an individual GP's general medical services scheme panel. It should be pointed out that a general medical services scheme contract is issued to an individual GP and not to a practice.