Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 April 2004
99 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to a growing trend whereby general practitioners refuse to take on additional medical card holders to their lists; and if concerns regarding this issue and the possibility of an emerging two tier general practitioner system has been discussed with the IMO. [12362/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am not aware of general practitioners engaging in activity such as suggested by the Deputy. This type of action would be at variance with the spirit and the terms of the GMS contract. I remind the Deputy that in order for the eligibility of an applicant for a medical card to be assessed, a doctor must be chosen from the list of GMS participating doctors in the particular board area. In instances where a medical card holder is unable to secure the services of a general practitioner, the GMS contract permits the relevant health board to assign the person to a doctor. This system operates in all health board areas.
