Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
331. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if there is a central register of locum GPs available for general practice in the State; the number of locum GPs paid from the GMS in 2023; if he is satisfied that there is adequate locum GP cover available to meet requirements in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18606/24]
View answerGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE to provide services without charge to patients who hold a medical card or a GP visit card. GPs are reimbursed by the HSE for the provision of those services primarily on a capitation basis, with a range of additional support payments and fees for specific items of service.
GPs contracted under the GMS scheme with a panel size of 100 patients or more receive a contribution towards the cost of securing locum cover for certain types of leave such as annual leave and sick leave.
While the HSE provides a contribution towards locum expenses for leave taking purposes to GPs under the GMS contract, as private practitioners, locum cover is arranged by the GP concerned as necessary. The HSE does not maintain a central register of locum GPs. The relevant HSE Community Health Organisation may assist a GMS GP in providing locum cover where possible.
In recognition of the challenges faced by GPs in rural areas in obtaining locum cover, the GP Agreement 2023 provides for the implementation of a HSE/IMO pilot initiative to support GPs in receipt of the Rural Practice Support Framework to source locum cover for approved leave periods. Development of this initiative is ongoing.
