Duncan Smith
Question:567. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of GPs operating in Louth each year since 2020, in tabular form. [53546/23]
View answerTuesday, 5 December 2023
Questions (567)
Written answers
GPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a contract with the HSE for the provision of health services such as the GMS contract for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card patients. As GPs are self-employed, they may establish practices at a place of their own choosing.
At the start December, 2,539 GPs hold a GMS contract and a further 587 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.
In relation to the number of GPs operating in Louth each year since 2020, as this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to contracted GPs, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.