Vol. 572 No. 2
80 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Health and Children the requirements for general practitioners in the general medical services scheme to make clinics accessible to wheelchair users and other people with disabilities; his plans to make such regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22461/03]
At present GMS contracts do not place any obligation on general practitioners to make their practice premises accessible for wheelchair users and people with other disabilities. However, I am aware that a great number of the practices have made provisions to make their premises more accessible.
In the case of health centres from which a number of general practitioners operate, since they are merely tenants of the health boards the obligation to provide such facilities, where appropriate, would rest with the relevant health board.
In the case of new buildings, extension and material alterations to existing buildings and where a material change of use takes place the requirements of technical guidance document M of the building regulations – Access for Disabled People – apply. Compliance with the building regulations has been a statutory requirement since 1 June 1992.
