Bernard Allen
Ceist:611 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will set up an Internet based information service for family doctors in view of the problems faced by GPs following the recent polio vaccine scare. [1403/01]
Written Answers. - Programme Vaccine.
My Department is committed to developing and supporting information technology based initiatives in the general practice area. Accordingly, moneys have been made available under the indicative drugs target savings scheme to facilitate the Irish Medical Organisation in developing a major primary care health information website.
My Department has also been directly active, through the national general practice information technology group, in developing a website specifically for general practitioners on matters of interest to them, including IT training and news. Further, last year saw the GMS scheme contract, including all of the contractual circulars from the scheme's inception in 1972, move to the internet for easy access with comprehensive search facilities.
More web based developments are planned for this year to make information communications technology more relevant to general practitioners in terms of their daily work. Ultimately, the success or otherwise of these initiatives also depends on the willingness of general practitioners to avail of and use the appropriate technologies when provided.