Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 February 2017
131. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the general practitioner service in Waterville and Rathmore, County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4523/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present, there are four GPs in the Waterville to Cahirciveen area. Two of these GPs, who form one practice in Waterville, are due to retire in the near future. The HSE is currently undertaking a recruitment process to replace these upcoming retirements. In relation to the GP service in Rathmore, the HSE is continuing its efforts to revert to a full-time GP service in the area.
The Government is committed to the continued development of GP capacity to ensure that patients across the country continue to have access to GP services. The Programme for Partnership Government commits to increasing the number of GP training places to 259 places annually. In July 2016, the GP training intake increased from 157 to 172 places and the HSE's 2017 National Service Plan envisages a further increase, to 187 places this year. I am anxious to achieve further increases in future years in order to ensure that the future manpower needs of general practice can be met.
Further efforts undertaken in recent years to increase the number of practising GPs include changes to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to accommodate more flexible/shared GMS/GP contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme, allowing GPs to hold GMS contracts until their 72nd birthday, as well as the introduction of an enhanced supports package for rural GP practices. These steps should help to address the future demand for GPs by enticing GPs who may have ceased practicing for family or other reasons back into the workforce, facilitating GPs to work past the standard retirement age and encouraging more GPs to work in rural areas.
In addition, I have emphasised the need for a new GP services contract which will help modernise our health service and develop a strengthened primary care sector, and health service management have already progressed a number of significant measures through engagement with GP representatives in recent years. The next phase of engagement on a new GP contract is under way and initial meetings with GP representative bodies have been held in January. The GP contracts review process will, among other things, seek to introduce further measures aimed at making general practice a fulfilling and rewarding career option into the future.
