Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2019
379. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the procedure to ensure that each person has access to a general practitioner if the person does not have a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41854/19]
View answerPeople who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with.
GPs are private contractors and it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients. In some instances GP practices have a full list of patients and cannot take on new patients. If this happens, patients should contact other GP practices in their area. While I have no role in relation to such matters, I would expect clinicians to consider the importance of patients having access to a GP service close to home when deciding whether or not to accept private patients.
The Government is committed to increasing GP capacity to ensure that all patients, those that hold a medical or GP visit card as well as those that do not, continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
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 GMS GP contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme, allowing GPs to hold GMS contracts until their 72nd birthday. Enhanced supports for rural GP practices have also been introduced.
There has also been a significant expansion in the number of places on GP training programmes in recent years; up from 120 places in 2009 to 192 filled in 2019.
An agreement with the Irish Medical Organisation on contractual reform was concluded this year. In return for cooperation with a wide range of service developments and reforms, the Government will increase investment in general practice by approximately 40% (or €210 million) by 2023. This will see significant increases in capitation fees for GPs who participate in the reform programme and the introduction of new fees and subsidies for additional services such as the chronic disease management programme.
I am confident that these measures will make general practice more sustainable and a more attractive career option for doctors, thus increasing GP capacity and helping to ensure that all patients have access to GP services.
