Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 March 2017
46. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of children that have been refused access to general practitioner registration at their first choice of surgery; if he has been contacted by any general practitioners as a result of problems with under six registrations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11890/17]
View answerThe introduction of GP care without fees to children under 6 represents a major step forward in improving access, quality and affordability of health care in Ireland. The under-6s GP service contract, which includes age-based preventive checks focused on health and well-being and a cycle of care for children with asthma, underlines the Government’s commitment to enhancing primary care and keeping people well in their own community. To date, approximately 94% of GMS GPs have entered into agreements with the HSE for the provision of services to children under 6 and almost 364,000 children under 6 have access to GP care without fees through a medical card or GP visit card.
Complaints in relation to registration with a GP are dealt with by the HSE in the first instance. Where a GMS patient experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept him/her as a patient, the HSE has the power to assign an eligible person to a GP's GMS patient list where the person has been removed from another GP's list or refused entry onto a GP's list, and the person has unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area, who are contracted to provide services under the GMS.
