Matt Carthy
Question:566. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health how he proposes a person (details supplied) can get a GP, following the retirement of their own GP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21333/24]
View answerTuesday, 14 May 2024
Questions (566)
Written answers
GPs 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.
Where a person who holds a medical card or GP visit card, experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, that person having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign a GMS patient to a GP's GMS patient list in accordance with the GMS contract.
Where a GMS GP retires or otherwise resigns his GMS contract, a GMS vacancy arises and the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. Medical card and GP visit card holders on the GMS panel concerned are transferred to the new GP upon recruitment.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private practitioners, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients. Where a GP practice has a full list of patients and cannot take on new patients, patients should contact other GP practices in the surrounding areas.
It is worth noting that eligibility for a GP visit card was extended last year to all those who earn up to the median household income, which has greatly increased the number of persons eligible for a GP visit card. The qualifying threshold calculation takes into consideration the applicant’s particular expenses and the number of dependents as well as their income, allowing for those who have a higher income but also experience high expenses to potentially qualify for a card.
The Government is working to increase the number of GPs practicing in the State and thereby improve access to GP services across the country.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice was increased by €211.6m. This provided for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees for additional services and increased practice supports. The GP Agreement 2023 further increased GP capitation fees, increased the existing subsidy rates for practice staff, and introduced a grant support for additional staff capacity as well a practice staff maternity leave support.
These measures make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice for doctors. Figures released by the ICGP show that 1,311 medical graduates applied for GP training in 2024, a notable increase on the previous year and higher than any other year.
The number of doctors entering GP training has been increased significantly in recent years, with 286 new entrants in 2023 and 350 places planned for new entrants for this year. Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by over 80% from 2015 to 2023, and the number of new entrant places to be available this year is a 22% increase on last year's intake.
Furthermore, GP recruitment is ongoing under the joint International Medical Graduate Rural GP Programme between the HSE and the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP). 121 non-EU GPs were enrolled under the training programme last year and it is planned to recruit up to 250 more GPs from outside Ireland this year. The placement of GPs under the programme is targeted to rural and underserviced areas.
Lastly, a Strategic Review of General Practice is underway. The review, with input from key stakeholders, is examining the broad range of issues affecting general practice including issues related to GP capacity. When completed, the review will set out the measures necessary to deliver a more sustainable general practice into the future.