Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1705. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if it is intended to provide extra funding to Westdoc to provide more comprehensive cover for general practitioners in the Connemara area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1367/22]
View answerThe Westdoc co-operative provides out-of-hours GP services in Community Healthcare West, covering counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. It is acknowledged however, that the Westdoc service does not extend to certain rural areas within the region.
While GP out-of-hour co-operatives are private entities the HSE provides substantial funding to support the out-of-hours co-operatives, covering a wide range of costs. This funding is provided to out-of-hours co-operatives through service level agreements with the HSE. As the HSE has responsibility for determining the allocation of funding from its budget, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
