Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2007
217 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has requested the Health Service Executive to furnish her with her report regarding the operation of the warfarin clinic on Dublin’s northside; her views on changes which would give patients more direct access to doctors to interpret and advise on test results perhaps with the service relocated in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6745/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe monitoring and appropriate care of patients receiving anti-coagulation therapy with Warfarin comes within the scope of competence of general practice. The Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for services provided by General Practitioners to persons eligible for such services free of charge and, accordingly, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has therefore asked the Executive to contact the Deputy on the matter.
The contractual arrangements for the provision by GPs of primary care services must ensure the provision of high-quality, person-centred services and for the maximum proportion of people's healthcare needs to be met in the primary care setting. A review of the present contracts commenced in 2005 under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission. It is necessary however to ensure that any future contractual arrangements entered into by HSE for the provision of general practitioner services and the process by which they are arrived at comply with the terms of the Competition Act 2002. In this context legal advice is at present being sought in relation to the permissibility of negotiating contractual fee arrangements with organisations representing self-employed health professionals. My Department and the HSE will consider the legal advice, when received, in order to determine the most appropriate way in which to advance the putting in place of contractual arrangements which facilitate the delivery of a modern, high-quality and accountable general practitioner service as a key component of our primary care system.
