General Medical Services Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 May 2012

Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Ceisteanna (56)

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

48 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the progress, if any, made on developing a new general practitioner contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24204/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall)

The Programme for Government provides for the introduction of a new General Medical Services (GMS) contract with General Practitioners (GPs) with an increased emphasis on the management of chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. It is envisaged that the new contract, when finalised, will focus on prevention and will include a requirement for GPs to provide care as part of integrated multidisciplinary Primary Care Teams.

The Universal Primary Care Project Team, which involves officials from the Department and the HSE, is examining the changes that need to be made to the GMS contract to facilitate the introduction of Universal Primary Care.