Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
1664. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to update policies around doctors providing locum GP services, particularly around hourly locum rates and doctors' eligibility to locum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17637/23]
View answerGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services to medical card and GP visit card holders. The GMS contract sets out a GP's requirements under their contract including the number of hours the GP is to make themselves available for consultations with eligible patients.
As private practitioners, the provision of GP locum services by GPs is a private matter between the GP and the contracting body concerned. GP out of hours cooperatives, which are largely private entities, recruit locum GPs to supplement the provision of out of hours services. The HSE also avails of locum GPs to provide continuity of care for patients following the retirement of a GP from the GMS scheme while a permanent GP is being recruited.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE makes a contribution to eligible GMS GPs towards locum expenses for leave taking purposes. The contribution amount for maternity leave, and the contribution amount for paternity leave as well as the leave duration, was increased under the 2019 GP Agreement.
