asked the Minister for Health if he has received representations from doctors who were debarred from the choice of doctor scheme due to the fact that they were not in active practice prior to July, 1970; and if he will indicate the discussions, if any, he has had with the medical organisations on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Choice of Doctor Scheme.
14.
I have had representations from a number of doctors who did not qualify for automatic admission to the new scheme at its commencement. The conditions for entry to the scheme were discussed and agreed with the medical organisations and I am not, therefore, in a position to depart from them. I might add that vacancies arising in the service are open to competition and that any medical practitioner with a minimum of two years postgraduate experience in medical practice is eligible to compete.
15.
asked the Minister for Health whether there has been a reduction in the number of patients admitted to hospitals since the introduction of the choice of doctor scheme; and if he will indicate the savings resulting to the health services.
It is too early to measure the overall impact of the scheme on the hospital services. There has been a small decline in admissions to some of the Eastern Health Board institutions since the scheme began but it is not possible to say with certainty that this has been a result of the scheme. I would expect to be in a better position to give a reply to a question of this nature in a few months' time.