Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2018
311. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of free general practitioner care contract for children under six years of age; when this review will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40982/18]
View answerA review of the GP Contract governing the provision of care to children under six years of age has not commenced. My first priority is the development of a package of measures and reforms to modernise the 1989 GMS Contract.
The goal is to develop a contractual framework that has a population health focus, providing in particular for health promotion, disease prevention and for the structured care of chronic conditions.
Agreement on the delivery of these much needed service improvements and contractual reforms has the potential to facilitate a substantial increase in the resourcing of general practice on a multi-annual basis as well as enabling GPs to better meet the needs of patients. Engagement with GP representatives on contractual issues is expected to recommence shortly.
