asked the Minister for Health if he has any proposals to improve general practitioners' access to diagnostics in hospitals.
Written Answers. - Access to Hospital Diagnostic Services.
185.
I am in favour of general practitioners having access for their patients to routine diagnostic services in hospitals such as general X-ray facilities and basic laboratory tests. I am glad to say that this is the case in many areas and it is my intention that it should be a universal arrangement. However, I recognise that in some hospitals facilities are under pressure and it is not possible at present to facilitate the local general practitioners. My Department are keeping this issue under constant review and every effort is made to facilitate improved access for general practitioners as the opportunity to do so arises. This is also one of the issues which I will be keeping under review in terms of the new arrangements for the General Medical Services and I am confident that an acceptable protocol for general practitioner access to diagnostic services can be agreed.