Vol. 424 No. 2
147 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health the contingency plans, if any, he has put in place to deal with the provision of necessary drugs to medical card holders in the event of doctors withdrawing from the General Medical Services Scheme.
The GMS review commenced in March of this year with the participation of the Irish Medical Organisation, the Irish College of General Practitioners, the Departments of Health and Finance and the Health Boards. Meetings of the review are continuing on a regular basis and constructive dialogue has taken place on a range of issues. As the negotiations are at a delicate state it would not be appropriate for me to comment in detail on the nature of the discussions other than to say that both sides are committed to the review process.
I am hopeful, therefore, that it will be possible to bring these discussions to a successful conclusion and avoid a withdrawal of general practioners from the scheme.
However, if the discussions reach a stage where it becomes clear that a withdrawal is inevitable, alternative arrangements will be put in place to ensure that medical card patients continue to receive GP services as well as necessary drugs and medicines. I wish to emphasise, however, that every effort is being made to resolve the current difficulties in the GMS through the process of the current review discussions.
