Frank Crowley
Ceist:54 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Health if he will outline his plans for the reform of the GMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Vol. 417 No. 7
54 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Health if he will outline his plans for the reform of the GMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The present contract for doctors in the GMS, which was introduced in March 1989, states that the terms of the contract shall be subject to alteration every three years, in accordance with the outcome of a review of the agreement between the Minister and the Irish Medical Organisation, on arrangements for the provision of services. This review has now commenced under the independent chairmanship of Professor Tom Murphy.
In broad terms, my objectives in the review of the GMS are to ensure that arrangements for the delivery of services to medical card holders are appropriate, adequate and cost effective and that structures are put in place to encourage the development of an effective primary case service for medical card patients.