Vol. 561 No. 1
105 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the standard of medical services available to the residents of south-west Donegal, particularly the parishes of Glencalmalle and Kilcar during the weekend periods; and if there are plans to improve same in order that such services are made readily accessible. [3441/03]
Health boards are responsible for the provision of general practitioner services to medical card holders under the general medical services scheme. The current arrangement in respect of the part of south west Donegal mentioned by the Deputy is that there are four GPs currently providing services to persons with GMS entitlements in the area with a one in four out of hours rota operating. This is consistent with the level of service provided elsewhere in County Donegal where the GP out of hours co-operative is not in operation. The provision of general practitioner services to non-medical card holders is a private arrangement between the patient and the individual GP concerned. In September 2001, a general practice out of hours co-operative, NoWDOC, was established from three locations in north and west Donegal by the North-Western Health Board with funding from my Department.
