Willie O'Dea
Question:1120. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of GP clinics in the country to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35759/23]
View answerTuesday, 25 July 2023
Questions (1120)
Written answers
GPs are private practitioners. Most GPs hold a GMS contract with the HSE to provide health services to medical card and GP visit card holders without charge. Under the GMS contract, contracted GPs are to make themselves routinely available for consultation by eligible persons at their approved surgery for a total of 40 hours each week on five days or more in the week. As GPs are private practitioners, data is not held on the actual number of clinical sessions provided by GPs.
As of July, 2,545 GPs hold a GMS contract and a further 571 GPs hold some other contract with the HSE for the provision of health services such as services under the Primary Childhood Immunisation Scheme or National Cancer Screening Service. GMS contracts are held between the HSE and individual GPs rather than with GP practices.