asked the Minister for Health if his Department have studied the results of the survey carried out by the Medical Union into the reasons why its members rejected his offer regarding fee per item of service; and, if so, if these results will provide a basis for reopening negotiations with the medical profession.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Service Scheme.
11.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply of 23rd February to questions on this issue. I hope to meet the Irish Medical Association and the Medical Union soon and, in the meantime, I would prefer not to add anything to my earlier reply.
I appreciate the fact that it is important that we do not have undue discussion on this but the Minister has indicated he is meeting the association and the union shortly. Does that mean there is no impasse now, that the Department will have discussion with these bodies?
We are going to have a general discussion without any commitment on my side or on their side.
But at least they are going to reopen discussions?
12.
andMr. Corish asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost per annum of the offer made to the Irish Medical Association regarding the proposed new general medical service scheme.
The Deputies will appreciate that it is not possible to give an accurate estimate for this and I would point out too that, in comparing payments to doctors under the new service with those under the present service, one does not compare like with like, because of the change in the nature of the service. Subject to these reservations, I would say that it is thought that additional payments to doctors might be of the order of £500,000 a year.
Surely the Minister is in a position to state the estimated cost per annum of the offer in respect of operating this free choice of doctor scheme? That is what is embodied in the question.
I have given the Deputy what is a fairly enlightened guess, and that is all. We have made our own estimates of the average number of services that an active doctor, taking proper leave, would perform per year in a general practice. We have made an estimate of the number of services per patient that might come on a doctor's list under the scheme. All these matters are estimates, so when I say £500,000 I am saying deliberately it is an enlightened guess. I cannot go any further than that.
Did the Minister say——
We must get on with questions. There are 80 questions on the Order Paper. I know it is a very important question.
I did not hear what the Minister said. Did he say the likely cost would be £500,000 a year?
Yes, I have already said that in my reply.
In view of the fact that no provision appears to have been made by anybody for even the existing payment, not to talk of the extra money, are we to understand that this scheme will not come into operation until after 1st April, 1972?
I would imagine that would be the case.