asked the Minister for Health the circumstances operating whereby general practitioners can refuse to take on a patient under the revised GMS contract; and if he is satisfied that these criteria are being properly adhered to.
Written Answers. - Revised GMS Contract.
301.
The matter raised by the Deputy is covered in paragraph 2 of the new and revised terms for medical practitioners participating in the general medical services scheme.
Under this paragraph, a medical practitioner shall ordinarily accept on to his list all eligible persons who so request. However, a medical practitioner has the right to refuse to accept an eligible person on to his list. In such an event the relevant health board can request the doctor to give, in confidence, the reason for his decision.
Paragraph 30 of the contract covers the arrangements for dealing with complaints.
No complaints have been received by my Department in relation to the operation of these arrangements.