Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020
882. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost and breakdown of providing medical secretaries to work with 50 general practitioners including the cost of their training and pay for work for a first and full-year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18057/20]
View answerUnder the GMS scheme, GPs can claim a subsidy towards the cost of employing a practice secretary. Payment is made to participating doctors with a panel size of at least 100 patients and payment increases in bands of 100 with a maximum payment applicable at a panel size of 1,200. The subsidy rate applies to staff employed on a full-time basis and varies depending on the secretary’s experience. In relation to staff not employed on a full-time basis, payment is made on a pro rata basis. There is no provision under the terms of the GMS contract to pay for the training of practice secretaries.
Schedule of Current Subsidies Payable in respect of Practice Secretaries
1. Secretarial subsidy (per year) — 1 year’s experience €20,630.57
2. Secretarial subsidy (per year) — 2 years’ experience €22,349.80
3. Secretarial subsidy (per year) — 3 or more years’ experience €24,068.99
As the HSE does not fund practice secretary posts in full, the costings provided below are based on the current level of subsidy payments.
Assuming the GP has a panel of 1,200+ patients, the cost of the subsidy for 50 medical secretaries would range between €1.032 million and €1.203 million depending on the experience of the secretary.
