Vol. 463 No. 2
45 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Health what plans, if any, he has to allow the estimated 400 doctors outside the general medical services scheme to treat medical card patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5910/96]
Limerick East): Arrangements for entry by doctors to the general medical services scheme are the subject of an agreement between the Irish Medical Organisation, the Department of Health and the Health Boards. Entry by doctors to the scheme is by means of open competition, following public advertisement by health boards, for new posts, vacancies that arise or posts of assistant with-a-view to partnership.
The Department and the health boards are currently involved in discussions with the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish College of General Practitioners on certain aspects of the procedures governing entry to the scheme but there are no plans to change the current system of open competition.
