Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 May 1990

Vol. 399 No. 3

Written Answers. - General Medical Service Doctors.

Patrick McCartan

Ceist:

147 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Health if it is permissible for doctors working in the general medical service to advise patients assigned to a particular doctor that he/she will not do house calls; if he will issue a directive or introduce regulations to require doctors in the general medical service to provide a full service including house calls where appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

A doctor participating in the general medical services scheme does so on the basis of a detailed contract entered into with the relevant health board for the provision of general practitioner services to persons entitled to such services under section 58 of the Health Act, 1970. This contract requires the doctor to provide services to a patient either at his surgery or, if the patient's medical condition requires it, at the person's home.