Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 June 2023
357. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will consider hiring directly employed GPs, the work that has been carried out in his Department to progress this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30372/23]
View answer358. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of salaried or directly hired GPs working for the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30373/23]
View answer359. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of salaried or directly hired GPs hired by the HSE from 2014 to date, broken down by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30374/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 357 to 359, inclusive, together.
The Irish model of general practice is based on private practice, and all GPs providing GP services in Ireland currently are private practitioners. The HSE does not directly employ GPs for the provision of GP services.
At present, there are 2,550 GPs who hold a General Medical Scheme (GMS) contract with the HSE to provide services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. More than 500 further GPs hold contracts with the HSE other than a GMS contract, such as for screening services or vaccinations. Approximately a further 500 GPs work entirely privately, many of these working as locums to provide support to other GPs.
The Government has taken a number of actions, and has significantly increased investment in general practice, to increase the number of GPs working in the State and to improve access to services. Both interest in general practice training and the number of new entrants undertaking this training have increased in recent years. The number of doctors entering GP training has been increased from 193 in 2019 to 258 in 2022, with 285 places training places planned for this year rising to 350 places next year.
There are however recognised challenges in accessing GPs in some parts of the country, often in rural or more deprived areas and I am open to looking at whether salaried GPs would be a possible solution to such access issues. It should be noted that any proposed model involving salaried GP positions would require careful consideration to ensure the required level of service could be provided for medical card and GP visit card holders.
The Strategic Review of General Practice is to commence shortly and will be completed this year. As part of the review, consideration will be given to the possible role of HSE-employed GPs, as part of a wider examination of the GP capacity issue.
