Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2015
190. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if he will negotiate with a representative body, the National Association of General Practitioners, on future general practitioner contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29273/15]
View answer191. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the procedures in place by his Department for negotiating with the National Association of General Practitioners; the rationale behind the procedures or lack thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29274/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 191 together.
Formal engagement on contractual issues is conducted through a process of negotiation with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), which is a party to the current agreement upon which HSE contracts with general practitioners, as independent contractors, are legally founded. Discussions have commenced between the Department of Health, the HSE and the IMO in relation to a review of the present GP contracts. These discussions are taking place in accordance with the Framework Agreement signed by these three parties on 4 June 2014.
The National Association of General Practitioners has not demonstrated its capacity to engage with the health service in a manner which recognises the respective roles of Government and the Oireachtas in determining health policy and which seeks to facilitate the implementation of policy in a manner that enables the needs of all parties, including in particular the users of the services, to be met. In these circumstances there are no plans to involve the NAGP in the present negotiations.
The Minister for Health and I engage regularly with a wide range of interested parties in relation to the development and delivery of health services, including those contracted from general practitioners. We have in the past met the NAGP in this context and I anticipate that we will do so again at a future date.
