Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2024
161. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will work with the relevant educational and professional bodies for the purposes of increasing the number of general practice nurses from the current figure of approximately 2,000 to 4,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8199/24]
View answerGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Practice staff, including practice nurses, are not employees of the HSE but are privately employed by general practitioners. 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 administrator. The rate payable depends on the GP's GMS panel size and the level of experience of the nurse or administrator. A practice manager subsidy is also available. GPs working in rural areas who meet the qualifying criteria receive an annual rural support allowance and attract the maximum allowable rates for practice staff support subsidies.
Last year's GP Agreement 2023 significantly increased the existing subsidy rates for practice staff, and introduced a new grant support of up to €15,000 for additional practice staff capacity as well as a support for practice staff maternity leave.
My Department and the HSE have commenced a Strategic Review of General Practice. The review, with input from relevant 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.
