Vol. 474 No. 1
80 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health if his Department has an agreement with the IMO or any other organisation representing general practitioners, in relation to the fees charged by general practitioners for a medical certificate; if it is in order to charge for medical certificates for the visit of a baby as distinct from an adult; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2572/97]
Limerick East): Under the Health Act, 1970, health boards are required to make available, without charge, a general practitioner medical and surgical service to persons with full eligibility — i.e. medical card holders.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, health boards enter into contracts with general practitioners for the provision of these services under the general medical services (GMS) scheme. The terms of the general practitioners' contract, which includes a fee schedule for the services provided, are the subject of negotiation and agreement between the Department, the health boards and the Irish Medical Organisation. Fee payments to general practitioners under the GMS scheme comprehend the issuing of normal sickness certificates which are required by an adult — or by an infant-child who is a dependant of the adult — who is covered by the medical card scheme and those examinations carried out prior to the issue of the first and final social welfare certificates. The issue of other certificates by a general practitioner, for example, those related to driving licences, insurance and assurance policies is not comprehended under the GMS doctors' fee schedule.
Neither I nor the health boards have any function in relation to charges or services levied by general practitioners in relation to their treatment of persons — including infants or children — who are not covered by the GMS scheme — i.e. private patients of the general practitioner.
