Vol. 441 No. 3
46 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay of almost a year in filling the vacancy for a doctor in Drimoleague, County Cork; if this appointment will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The appointment of doctors to the general medical services scheme and the filling of vacancies are matters for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board in accordance with the provision of an agreement with the Irish Medical Organisation. I have been informed by the Southern Health Board that in June 1993 a general practitioner in Drimoleague participating in the GMS scheme resigned from the scheme. The chief executive officer of the Southern Health Board decided that the vacant post should be filled by open competition as provided for under the provisions of the above agreement. The post was advertised in August 1993 and following the competitive process a doctor was offered the post in the following December.
The doctor confirmed his acceptance of the offer in January 1994. However, in March the doctor informed the board that he would not be taking up the position. In such circumstances and in accordance with the above agreement, the board has now offered the post to another doctor who has indicated that he will be in a position to take up the position in July. In the interim, the board will continue to ensure that GMS patients have access to the full range of general practitioner services.
