I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 119 together.
The number of persons covered by medical cards since 1998 to date in 2005 is set out in the following table:
Years
|
No. of persons covered
|
% of population
|
Population
|
December 1998
|
1,183,554
|
31.95
|
3,704,900
|
December 1999
|
1,164,187
|
31.09
|
3,786,900
|
December 2000
|
1,148,055
|
30.32
|
3,786,900
|
December 2001
|
1,199,454
|
31.24
|
3,838,900
|
December 2002
|
1,168,745
|
29.84
|
3,917,203
|
December 2003
|
1,158,143
|
29.57
|
3,917,203
|
December 2004
|
1,148,914
|
28.41
|
4.043,800
|
May 2005
|
1,146,347
|
28.35
|
4,043,800
|
The statistics requested by the Deputy concerning the number of patient visits is not kept by my Department. GMS general practitioners receive a capitation fee for each medical card patient on their panel. This annual capitation amount is payable to the general practitioner regardless of the number of consultations involved. Statistics on the number of visits are not currently collected for this group of general practitioners. However, a small group of general practitioners, 18, in 2003 are paid on a fee per item basis. Information in the 2003 GMS, payments, board annual report suggests an overall visiting rate for patients of these doctors of 10.97 visits in 2003.
Information regarding the number of prescriptions issued is not collected by my Department. Information relating to the number of prescriptions dispensed is contained in the following table and is based on the most recent information available in the 2003 annual report of the HSE, Primary Care Reimbursement Services, former GMS payments board.
Years
|
Number of prescriptions dispensed
|
December 1997
|
9,355,985
|
December 1998
|
9,474,988
|
December 1999
|
9,631,472
|
December 2000
|
9,737,023
|
December 2001
|
10,453,500
|
December 2002
|
11,551,122
|
December 2003
|
12,243,184
|
Figures in respect of the number of prescriptions dispensed in 2004 and to date in 2005 are not yet available. However, my Department has referred the matter to the HSE for investigation and direct reply.