Vol. 451 No. 7
54 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns that general practitioners are vulnerable to attack both in the surgery and when out on call; the plans, if any, he has to provide increased protection for general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7024/95]
Limerick East): I am aware that the Eastern Health Board has commissioned a study on violence against general practitioners which is not yet completed. I am, of course, concerned at the level of violence directed against general practitioners in the Eastern Health Board area as indicated in the preliminary findings of this study. I understand that the Eastern Health Board will be evaluating the findings of their study to ascertain what measures can usefully be taken to assist general practitioners with security arrangements. In the meantime, the Department will be discussing this issue with the Irish Medical Organisation with a view to considering options to help overcome this problem.
