Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 May 2004
112 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department has plans to roll out the hours co-ops on a national basis as a means of maintaining an adequate primary care out of hours access to medical services for patients in the future. [15464/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs holding contracts under the GMS scheme are required to be available at an approved surgery and for domiciliary visits for 40 hours each week on five or more days. GPs are also required to make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with him/her or his/her locum/deputy outside of normal hours for urgent cases. These arrangements are subject to agreement with the relevant health board.
There are a variety of arrangements in place to allow GPs fulfil their contractual obligations, including participation in out-of-hours co-operatives. Pilot GP co-operatives were set up in the North Eastern Health Board and South Eastern Health Board region in 1999 and 2000 respectively. Independent evaluations of these pilot co-operatives were undertaken and have indicated a high level of overall patient satisfaction. From the GP perspective, the co-ops have had a beneficial effect on stress, quality of family/social life and the ability to cope with the demands of work. Overall, the standards of medical care and the manner of doctors, nurses and staff are held in high regard by patients.
Given the success of the pilot co-operatives, investment was provided to allow further development. To date, co-operatives are operating in at least part of all health board areas. Between 2000 and 2003, €46.5 million was provided to health board for out-of-hours co-operative developments. For 2004, the amount allocated is in excess of €24 million. Further expansion will be considered in the context of service requirements, health board proposals and funding availability. It should be noted that the geographical areas to be covered by co-operatives and any expansion are decisions for the relevant health board, having regard to the strategic, financial and other issues involved.
