Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2016
41. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the progress being made in the ongoing negotiations with the Irish Medical Organisation on a new general medical services, GMS, contract; if the National Association of General Practitioners will be included in the ongoing negotiations for a new GMS contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20940/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been significant developments in the general practice service recently, with more services being made available to our citizens and additional support provided by the HSE. Under a Framework Agreement, signed in 2014, the HSE, the Department of Health, and the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) are currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the General Medical Services (GMS) and other publicly funded health sector contracts involving GPs.
As a first step in this process, universal GP care without fees for all children under the age of 6 years was successfully introduced in 2015. Shortly afterwards, the second phase implemented universal GP care without fees for all people aged 70 years and over. This has resulted in approximately 800,000 people now being eligible for GP care without fees, without having to undergo a means test. The under-6s GP service contract also included age-based preventive checks focused on health and well-being and also introduced a cycle of care for children with asthma. In October 2015, a specific Diabetes Cycle of Care provided by GPs for adult patients with Type 2 diabetes who hold a medical card or GP visit card was launched.
Earlier this year, an enhanced supports package for rural GP practices was agreed between the IMO, the HSE and the Department of Health. The enhanced package included improved qualifying criteria for rural support and an increase in the financial allowance from €16,216 to €20,000 per annum. In order to support additional services being provided by GPs, the IMO, the HSE and the Department of Health also agreed to revisions to the list of special items of GP service. The revised special items include increased rates of payment for suturing and bladder catheterisation, reflecting the costs and time associated with these services, and the introduction of a 24-hour blood pressure monitoring service by GPs.
In order to ensure that primary healthcare will be enhanced for our citizens by a new contract for general practice services, I am currently considering a number of options around this process, including the possibility of broader consultations with stakeholders.
