(South Tipperary) asked the Minister for Health if it is intended to extend free choice of doctor to the lower income group, in so far as population distribution may allow ; and when this is likely to occur.
48.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Services.
47.
(South Tipperary) asked the Minister for Health if it is possible to provide free choice of doctor within the framework of the existing dispensary system.
49.
(South Tipperary) asked the Minister for Health if he intends to abolish the existing dispensary system.
50.
(South Tipperary) asked the Minister for Health if, having regard to the possibility of the dispensary system being abolished or radically modified, he will provide that doctors who may be adversely affected by such changes will be suitably compensated.
Mr. O'Malley
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 to 50, inclusive, together.
I would draw the Deputy's attention to my reply to a question by Deputy Treacy on 27th April last—Dáil Debates, Vol. 215, Col. 45—when I said that a comprehensive review is being made of the entire health services. The matters mentioned in the Deputy's questions will be covered in this review. As the introduction of free choice of doctor for general practitioner care would involve a radical revision of the district medical officer system, I have asked health authorities to refrain for the present from forwarding statutory requests to the Local Appointments Commissioners for the filling of such posts on a permanent basis.
(South Tipperary): Am I to take it that the Minister is satisfied that he cannot provide a medical service, reasonable to the public, to the medical profession and to the Department, within the framework of the present dispensary system allowing a free choice of doctor?
Mr. O'Malley
I do not know where the Deputy gets that supplementary question from the series of questions he has put down. Any relation between the supplementary and the question is purely coincidental.
(South Tipperary): The question is perfectly relevant. The Minister has probably not grasped it——
Mr. Barrett
He probably has.
(South Tipperary): I am asking if the Minister is satisfied that he can provide a reasonable medical service giving free choice of doctor to the lower income group within the framework of the existing dispensary system.
Mr. O'Malley
I am not satisfied about anything yet or satisfied that I can do anything because I do not know enough about it, but, as I said in reply to a previous question, a comprehensive review is being made of the entire health services.
(South Tipperary): The Minister is not in a position to answer the question as yet ?
Did the Minister say he had postponed for the moment the sending of statutory requests for the filling of dispensary vacancies?
Mr. O'Malley
That is correct.
I am glad that is so because the Minister's predecessor would not do that. It is a change for the better.
This is a different Minister entirely.
Question No. 51 postponed.