Vol. 411 No. 6
60 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health the reason there is not an incentive in the list of items attracting a special fee in the new GMS contract to encourage general practitioners to do cervical smears on GMS patients as it is known that cervical cancer occurs more frequently in women of lower socio-economic classes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
GMS patients who require a cervical smear test as part of their medical treatment are entitled to have the smear taken by their general practitioner free of charge. This is part of diagnosis and part of general care which is provided for in the GMS contract. The capitation fees paid to a general practitioner participating in the GMS reflect the demands which the various demographic groups are expected to place on the doctor. The capitation fees cover a range of treatments usually undertaken in a general practice, including the taking of smears.
