Written Answers Nos. 722-725
722. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will consider expanding maternity pre-natal services to Ennis Hospital; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10441/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
723. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of locum GPs that have been in place in a practice since a vacancy arose (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10443/24]
View answer724. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of GMS patients attached to a practice (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10444/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 723 and 724 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, 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.
725. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the hours of service for each GP practice in County Clare, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10445/24]
View answerGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of services without charges to medical card and GP visit card holders.
Under the GMS contract, in general 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, by agreement with the HSE. The GP's hours of availability are to have regard to their patient's needs in the locality.
As private practitioners, GPs who do not hold a GMS contract with the HSE and consult patients in a private capacity only may determine their own hours of service as they see fit.
As the question raised is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, 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.
