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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 9 Jul 1992

Vol. 422 No. 5

Written Answers. - HIV Patients Treatment.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

121 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on a new study (details supplied) which indicates that GPs are being discouraged from providing vital treatment for HIV patients due to the low capitation rates in the current GMS contract.

The Deputy will be aware that the provision of primary care and management of persons with HIV requires a multifaceted approach involving primary care professionals particularly general practitioners.

The National AIDS Strategy Committee, of which I am Chairman, has completed a report on the care and management of persons with HIV-AIDS. This report recognises that some general practitioners encounter difficulties in treating certain patients with HIV and recommended the establishment of community type clinics where general practitioners would provide services on a sessional basis.

I have made funding specifically available to the Eastern Health Board to establish two satellite clinics in the Dublin area to implement this recommendation and thereby put in place an appropriate framework for the effective delivery of primary care services for drug abusers with HIV. I expect these satellite clinics to be operational shortly.

I have also funded a Primary Care Research and Development Project involving the Eastern Health Board and the Royal College of Surgeons which is providing on-going service assessment of HIV patients in the Dublin area to determine the strengths and problems associated with the provision of comprehensive primary care services.

As far as capitation rates in the GMS are concerned, the Deputy will be aware that the Review of the General Medical Services scheme is in progress. The review will address a wide range of issues of concern to participating general practitioners and to health service management.

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