Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 5

Written Answers. - Health Board Facilities Usage by GPs.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

235 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement regarding the situation whereby the Western Health Board are forcing GPs in their area to install their own phones in health centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

The General Medical Services contract for the provision of general practitioner services to eligible patients, provides that arrangements may be entered into between the health board and the general practitioner regarding the use of facilities in health centres. It is entirely a matter for the relevant health board and the general practitioner to arrive at a mutually acceptable arrangement in this regard.

I have had inquiries made of the Western Healh Board in this matter and I understand that discussions have been held between officials of the board and representatives of the Irish Medical Organisation. The position is that proposals for resolving this issue are now under consideration by the general practitioners concerned as a result of these discussions.