The funding provided for out of hours co-operatives between 2000 and 2003 totalled €46.5 million including an additional amount of €4.143 million in 2003 for further expansion. The following table gives a breakdown of each board's allocation under this heading.
Health Board
|
Amount allocated (€million)
|
|
€
|
Eastern Regional Health Authority
|
5.57
|
Midland Health Board
|
5.213
|
Mid-Western Health Board
|
5.028
|
North Eastern Health Board
|
6.638
|
North Western Health Board
|
4.905
|
South Eastern Health Board
|
7.123
|
Southern Health Board
|
6.988
|
Western Health Board
|
4.869
|
Totals
|
46.501 million
|
The total funding available in 2004 amounts to €24.048 million. These funds have been included into health boards' base allocation for the continued provision of services under this heading. This dedicated funding is exclusive of the fees paid to participating general practitioners.
At present there are out of hours co-operatives operating in all health board areas. These are at various stages of expansion and development. In one board area, the North Eastern Health Board, there is a region wide co-op. Generally, co-operatives operate either a full or limited out of hours service for both private and medical card patients.
It should be noted that the geographical areas to be covered by co-operatives and any expansion are decisions for the relevant health board to make, having regard to the strategic, financial and other issues involved. Of the additional funding provided in 2003, €0.857 million was provided for the Southern Health Board for an expanded service in its area. It would be a matter for that board to decide on further expansion in its area.