Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
918. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the issuing of general practitioner cards to carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55270/17]
View answerIn December 2017, I announced the Government's intention to provide all carers who are in receipt of a Carer's Allowance access to GP care without charge. Primary legislation will be required to give effect to this measure and my Department has begun work in this regard. Subject to the agreement of Government to the specific legislative proposals drawn up, it is my objective to have this legislation prepared and brought to the Oireachtas as soon as it is possible.
I acknowledge the important role that GPs play in our health service and I remain strongly committed to the development of a new, modernised GP services contract. Engagement with GP representatives in this regard is underway and I am hopeful that agreement can be reached in the coming months on service developments that can be introduced during 2018. It is open to GP representative bodies to raise any which their members may have with my Department and the HSE as part of the ongoing contractual engagement process.
The Government is committed to the continued development of GP capacity to ensure that patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future. I want to ensure that existing GP services are retained and that general practice remains an attractive career option for newly qualified GPs. Efforts undertaken in recent years to increase the number of practising GPs include changes to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to accommodate more flexible/shared contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme, as well as the introduction of enhanced supports for rural GP practices. Separately, the number of GPs being trained is being increased. The Programme for Partnership Government commits to increasing the number of GP training places to 259 places annually. In 2009, there were 120 places available and in 2017 there were 170 places filled an increase of over 40%. The HSE's 2018 National Service Plan envisages a further increase, to 187 places this year.
