Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 3

Written Answers. - General Medical Services Panel.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

207 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide details on the operation of the general medical services panel for general practitioners in relation to details of entry into the scheme. [23413/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

Entry by doctors to the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme is by way of open competition for vacancies which arise, new posts which are created or for posts of assistant with-a-view to partnership.

The arrangements relating to entry to the scheme have been agreed with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) and they are designed to ensure that a high standard of service will be provided by doctors who are successful in securing contracts.

The provisions of the GMS contract are regularly reviewed by the Department, the Chief Executive Officers of the health boards and the IMO. Arising out of this process, agreement was reached last year on revised arrangements relating to entry to the scheme. These revised arrangements provide for a consultation process between the health boards and the IMO in advance of decisions being taken in relation to filling posts. They also provide guidelines on assessing the viability of posts, the establishment of interview boards and a marking system for candidates.