Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2010
412 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if the acceptance of financial donations from general medical services patients constitutes a breach of contract; the steps she has taken to prevent such practices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1281/10]
View answerIt is taken that the Deputy's question is referring to General Medical Services (GMS) provided by General Practitioners (GPs). Under the GMS contract, either capitation or fee-per-item, the GP undertakes to provide all proper and necessary treatment of a kind generally undertaken by a GP to these patients.
The GMS contract, capitation or fee-per-item, contains a specific stipulation that the medical practitioner shall not demand or accept any payment or consideration for services provided under the contract.
If the Health Service Executive is made aware of specific cases where GPs are accepting financial donations from GMS patients or where such patients are being inappropriately charged by GP contractors, it will arrange to have such cases investigated as appropriate.
