Vol. 565 No. 1
217 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that general practitioners are paid different annual rates for providing medical care for persons over 70 years of age; the reason for the differing rates; and his views on whether these differing rates lead to a different quality of service to those patients. [10162/03]
Since 1989, general practitioners have been paid annual capitation rates based on the age, sex and location of their patients. As a result of the Government decision to grant automatic eligibility to all persons aged 70 years and over from 1 July 2001 and a lengthy protracted industrial relations process, a higher capitation rate for persons in this age category has been paid to participating doctors for all of their patients, aged 70 years and over, who receive a medical card for the first time in the community since that date. All of these rates reflect the agreed outcome of industrial negotiations between the Department and the Irish Medical Organisation.
To have any differentiation in the level or quality of treatment provided for patients, based on the remuneration given to the doctor for the persons concerned, would be totally at variance with the philosophy of the general medical services scheme. Indeed, it is a condition of the GMS scheme contract which participating doctors sign that there must be no differentiation in the level of treatment provided for a doctor's medical card and private patients. I am not aware of any such discrimination in care to patients in this age category at present, but if the Deputy has evidence to the contrary, I would be anxious that the information would be passed to me as a matter of urgency. The relevant health board would be directed to investigate the matter and to take appropriate action.
