Alan Farrell
Question:1639. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the efforts his Department is making to develop multidisciplinary teams within GP services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17573/23]
View answerTuesday, 18 April 2023
Questions (1639, 1640)
Alan Farrell
Question:1640. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the efforts his Department is making to increase the number of general practice nurses in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17574/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1639 and 1640 together.
GPs are private practitioners, and while most hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders, as private practitioners GPs manage their own practices and may employ practice staff as they see fit and as suitable to the particular needs of their practice.
Under the GMS scheme, GPs are paid a subsidy towards the cost of employing a practice nurse and/or a practice secretary. The rate payable depends on the GP's GMS panel size and the level of experience of the nurse or secretary. A practice manager subsidy is also available. In addition, GPs working in rural areas who meet the qualifying criteria will qualify for an annual rural support allowance, a support is also available to GPs working in urban areas of deprivation, and contributions are made towards locum costs for various GP leave arrangements.
Furthermore, as provided for in Budget 2023, a significant package of additional practice supports is being prepared in the context of the expansion of eligibility for GP care without charges to people who earn the median household income or less.
There are currently approximately over 2,000 practice nurses in Ireland, although a portion of these work part-time in general practice. Practice nurses pay a key role in general practice and provide a wide range of services to patients. I'm delighted that University College Dublin have recently launched, with support from my Department and funding under Sláintecare, a new graduate diploma in Primary Care Nursing Practice. On a pilot two year basis, 60 students are to commence this course in September. The programme acknowledges the important role of practice nurses and nurses in primary care, and helps develops career pathways in general practice.
The Enhanced Community Care (ECC) programme also provides for patients to be referred by GPs on to other healthcare professionals as necessary, with care being provided locally in the community. Community Healthcare Networks facilitate the provision of multidisciplinary care to patients requiring access to primary care services such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, psychology, dietetics, podiatry, and public health nursing services in the community setting. Referral by GPs to these services ensures that patients receive multidisciplinary care through an integrated and co-ordinated approach by these health and social care professionals.
I recently published the Terms of Reference for a Strategic review of General Practice which is to commence shortly and to be completed this year. The review, with input from stakeholders, will examine the broad range of issues affecting general practice, and will set out the measures necessary to deliver a better general practice. Capacity in general practice, the expansion and support of the GP team, and consideration for the development of other roles that would improve service delivery, are areas to be examined under the review.
Question No. 1640 answered with Question No. 1639.