Skip to main content
Normal View

Primary Care Centres Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 November 2013

Wednesday, 13 November 2013

Questions (17)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

17. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on the sentiments of 45 general practitioners (details supplied) who publicly stated that cuts in primary care spending are leading directly to a reduction in doctors and nurses; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that several GPs are stating that they have invested large sums in their practices with the expectation that primary care services would be at a more advanced stage by this time; his views on whether these trends present a serious risk to patient safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48058/13]

View answer

Written answers

The HSE’s National Service Plan for 2013 sets out the funding allocations for this year by care group programme. It includes provision of €2,562 million in respect of the Primary Care Reimbursement Service and €400 million for Primary Care services. This is an increase of 1.7% and 7.6% respectively on the 2012 figures.

Successful transformation of our health services requires a corresponding transformation of the existing funding model. The first stage in transforming this funding model is to clarify funding streams through the creation of directorates and corresponding programme based budgets. As part of this process, a Primary Care Directorate was established within the HSE in 2013. This directorate will oversee the development and strengthening of primary care.

In 2013, Primary Care funding of €20 million, nationally, is being invested to support the recruitment of prioritised front-line primary care team posts and to enhance the capacity of the primary care sector. 264.5 additional Primary Care posts, including 72 Public Health Nurses and 40.5 Registered General Nurses, have been approved. The filling of these posts is at an advanced stage. From 1st July 2010, the GP trainee intake increased from 120 to 157 training places per year, in line with GP workforce requirements.

Earlier this year, a review was carried under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2009 in relation to the operation, effectiveness and impact of the amounts and rates payable to certain health professionals under the relevant Regulations. Having carefully considered the submissions made during the consultation process, the Minister for Health decided to make an overall reduction of 7.5% in fees and allowances payable to GPs under the GMS and other schemes. Under the FEMPI legislation, the Minister for Health is required to carry out a review of the operation, effectiveness and impact of the amounts and rates fixed under the regulations each year. This will involve a full consultation with stakeholders in 2014.

The development of primary care is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health system. The development of primary care centres, through a combination of public and private investment, will facilitate the delivery of multi-disciplinary primary health care. Considerable progress has been made already in the delivery of primary care centres and 32 centres have opened since May 2011.

Since 2012, primary care infrastructure has been approved and is underway at 15 locations through refurbishment, extension of suitable properties or through new build. Construction is underway at 6 locations and planning permission has been granted at an additional 22 locations under the 'operational lease' mechanism.

The HSE is working with the National Development Finance Agency to progress the PCC Public Private Partnership programme. Planning applications for the PCC sites have been lodged recently or will be shortly.

I am aware that many GPs have invested in their practices. This, coupled with the increased investment in Primary Care by this Government will provide enhanced, safer services for patients.

Top
Share