I have no plans to enter into discussions with the Medical Council or representatives of the general practitioners on the matter of entry to the General Medical Services scheme by Army medical personnel.
The Deputy may be aware that I answered a question in some detail in the House on this matter last November — Official Report 29 November 1990, columns 716 to 718 — and the position has not altered in any way since.
In general, the main mode of entry to the General Medical Services scheme is by open competition but doctors who had established themselves in whole time general practice prior to 1 January 1989 are granted right of entry on completion of five years continuous service in a particular centre of practice provided they satisfy certain conditions.
It is a matter for each health board to decide if an individual doctor satisfies the conditions for entry under the five year rule.
I am not aware of any difficulties posed specifically for Army medical personnel seeking entry to the General Medical Services scheme. Doctors who have served in the Army Medical Corps may apply for vacancies in the GMS as advertised by health boards.
However, the health boards are satisfied that they are not eligible to apply for direct entry to the GMS under the "five year rule" method as their Army service does not meet with the required "five years continuous service in full-time general practice" under the regulations.
