GPs who hold General Medical Services Scheme contracts for service with the Health Service Executive (HSE) are self-employed practitioners who undertake to provide general practitioner services for their assigned patients for a total of 40 hours, to cover surgery and domiciliary visits, on 5 or more days per week, as agreed with the Executive. They are also obliged to put in place arrangements that enable contact to be made with them or a deputy/locum for emergencies outside of these times.
The Primary Care Strategy provides for the delivery of comprehensive, multidisciplinary services in the primary care setting with health professionals co-located where appropriate. I believe that this team approach to Primary Care, whereby GPs work as part of a team rather than in isolation, provides a safer environment in terms of GPs' personal security.
Between 2000 and 2005 approximately €105 million was allocated to the health boards (now the HSE) for Out of Hours GP co-operative service development. In 2006 almost €34 million is available to the HSE for this area. GP Out of Hours services are now available in all HSE areas, providing coverage in all or in part of all counties. GPs who participate in out of hours co-operatives have a driver provided for any Out of Hours house calls and the treatment centres have other support staff that may include security if local management feel it is appropriate.