Vol. 530 No. 5
119 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals he has to carry out an investigation into the variation in fees charged by medical general practitioners to private patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4288/01]
General practitioners have discretion in respect of fees charged by them to private patients for particular treatments and services. They are, therefore, in a position to have regard to the circumstances of any specific case or the situation of any particular patient and may, if they deem it appropriate, waive entirely or significantly reduce the fee to be charaged.
However, in any instance, where a private patient is unhappy with the fee charged, he or she should bring his or her concern, in the first instance, to the attention of their doctor. If they are unable to resolve the matter, then the patient concerned is free to change their doctor and find one whose fees' scale is more to their liking.
The very existence of variation in fees is a clear indication that there is price competition in the general practitioner sector and I am satisfied that the situation does not, at present, require a formal investigation.
