Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2004
52 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the implications on the out-of-hours services for general practitioner co-operatives following the implementation of the recommendations of the Hanly report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18401/04]
View answerMy Department acknowledges the crucial role which general practice plays in the delivery of primary care services. This is recognised in the primary care strategy which envisages a multidisciplinary team model, with the GP as a key member. The primary care task force is examining the provision of primary care across the country.
The Hanly report makes a number of recommendations in relation to the future provision of primary care. The report recommended that we put in place a consultant-provided service, provide a wider range of appropriate services and procedures in local hospitals and further resource and strengthen primary care. This will mean a better service for patients. The report emphasises that the planning and provision of acute hospital care cannot take place in isolation from primary care. The report notes that primary care has the potential to meet 90% to 95% of all health care needs provided it is properly structured and resourced. In this context, the report provided for a 50% increase in GP numbers in its medical staffing projections.
At the core of the Hanly report is the decentralisation of a large proportion of elective care and other services to smaller hospitals like Nenagh, Ennis and St. Columcille's. Properly resourced local hospitals can do much more working in partnership with GPs and other communication and primary care services. The implications of the Hanly report recommendations for the provision of out-of-hours services for general practitioner co-operatives will be examined in this context.
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 expansions. 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 in all health board areas.
