Eamon Ryan
Question:124 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children if doctors or medical practitioners are obliged to give a receipt to patients if it is sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17623/03]
Written Answers. - General Practitioner Services.
I assume the Deputy is referring to receipts for general practitioner services being provided to private patients. If so, these services are a matter of private contract between the doctor and his patient and are outside my area of responsibility. However, consultation with the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs suggests that while there may not be a statutory requirement to give a receipt, in virtually all consumer transactions a receipt is immediately and automatically proffered or is available on request.
Michael Ring
Question:125 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the way in which general practitioners budget holding will impact on sole general practitioners. [17563/03]
The recommendations of the Brennan report give guidelines on the method of calculation of budgets for general practitioners, one of which relates to the actual composition of the patient panel. Negotiations will take place with the Irish Medical Organisation on the subject of these recommendations and the reform of the health service generally, as mentioned last week. Until these are concluded, it is not possible to say what will be the impact on any general practitioner.