Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 2

Written Answers. - Choice of Doctor Scheme.

Noel Ahern

Question:

358 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health the cost of the choice of doctor scheme for the years 1988 to 1992 inclusive; the changes in cost since the fee structure was changed to per patient rather than per visit; if he will give a breakdown of various payments to individual doctors indicating the number of doctors in each payment category.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

The capitation based system of remuneration of participating doctors under the general medical sevices scheme, which effectively replaced the fee-per-item payment system, was introduced as and from 1 March 1989. Details of expenditure under both systems under the headings of payments to general practitioners and on medicines are set out in the following table:

	1992	1991	1990	1989	1988
	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Payments to General Practitioners	70.6*	57.1	54.2	51.6	44.6
Medicines	134.8	120.4	113.9	107.4	92.7
Total	205.4	177.5	168.1	159	137.3

* Includes the payment of Arbitration award and arrears.

Full details of payment to doctors including various fee schedules and supporting analysis are set out in the Annual Report of the General Medical Services (Payments) Board. I have arranged to have a copy of the most recent report, for the year ended December 1992, forwarded to the Deputy.