Vol. 448 No. 2
71 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Health the number of proposals the Southern Health Board has received for the establishment of general practitioner model centres in Cork city; if any of these proposals have been approved formally; if so, the amount of health board money to be invested in each of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1792/95]
Limerick East): The development of general practitioner services is an important element of the national health strategy. The strategy identifies the fragmentation of general practice as a major weakness which, as a result, makes it both difficult and costly to improve services and to integrate general practice with other health services. In order to address such deficiencies, the strategy contains a plan for improving the organisation of general practitioner services through the development of group practices, amalgamated practices or co-operative type arrangements between general practitioners. As part of the implementation of the strategy, my Department has requested health boards to give priority to the reorganisation of general practitioner services to meet the twin objectives of improving patient care and enhancing the quality of general practice.
The implementation of such developments in Cork city is a matter for the Southern Health Board. The board, in consultation with general practitioners locally, intends to bring about improvements in general practitioner services, including organisational improvements which are in line with the strategy. In that regard, the board has invited proposals from general practitioners who are interested in organising and developing their practices in accordance with the objectives outlined above.
I understand that the board received one proposal from a group of general practitioners in Cork city and the board will be supporting this development. The board has also initiated another project in Cork city which will involve the establishment of a suitable centre for the development of general practitioner services in the area. Decisions in relation to investment in these projects will be taken on conclusion of satisfactory arrangements between the board and the general practitioners concerned. Such arrangements will relate to the overall funding of the projects and agreement on identifiable improvements in both patient care and the development of general practice. Where projects involve capital investment by the board, an appropriate equity stake in such capital projects will be retained by the board.
