Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 6

Written Answers. - GMS Contract.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

23 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health the reason (1) for the complete lack of incentives for encouraging preventative medicine in the new GMS contract, (2) that there are no incentives for general practitioners to encourage GMS patients to have tests on blood cholesterol carried out as a preventive measure and (3) that there is no incentive for any general practitioner to encourage GMS patients to try to lose weight, exercise more, improve diet and cease smoking; and if in view of the fact that lower socio-economic groups have a poorer diet, smoke more, and have significantly higher standardised mortality rates for ischaemic heart disease and chronic obstructive airways disease, he will outline the reason for the lack of any incentives for GP's to attempt to prevent these ailments within the framework of the new GMS contract.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

I do not accept the Deputy's contention that there is a lack of incentives for encouraging preventive medicine in the revised GMS contract. The provisions of the new contract are specifically intended to encourage general practitioners to fulfil their key role in health promotion and preventive medicine. The replacement of the fee per item of service by a comprehensive capitation rate system encourages a volume of activity in GMS practice which allows more time for individual consultations. This facilitates the giving of advice to patients on lifestyle factors affecting the health of the patient.

In recognition of the key role of the GP in promoting healthy lifestyles the health promotion unit in my Department have developed an anti-smoking programme for use in general practice. Weight loss materials are included as part of the programme. The programme pack is being disseminated to general practitioners at present and will have reached all GP's in the GMS by mid-November.

On a wider front, officers of the health boards who have health promotion as part of their remit liaise on an ongoing basis with general practitioners in the promotion of healthy lifestyles.