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General Practitioner Contracts

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018

Tuesday, 17 April 2018

Ceisteanna (661, 662)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

661. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the status of reforms to the general practitioner contract in view of his recent public statement committing to same. [15030/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

662. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health when the most recent formal contract negotiations with general practitioners were undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15031/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 661 and 662 together.

The Government is committed to delivering more non-acute care within the primary care sector, so that better care close to home can be provided for communities around the country.

General Practitioners play an important role in the primary care system. It is generally accepted that there is a need to modernise the current GMS contract and ensure that general practice is a viable and rewarding career for medical graduates. My aim is to develop a contract which has a population health focus, providing in particular for health promotion and disease prevention and for the structured ongoing care of chronic conditions. A new contract must be flexible and be able to respond to the changing nature of the GP workforce. It must also include provisions in relation to service quality and standards, performance, accountability and transparency.

It is essential that engagement on GP contractual issues is aimed squarely at meeting the substantial challenges, current and future, the health service and general practice face. The latest phase of engagement with GP representatives commenced in January 2017, and discussions were progressed on a wide range of items throughout 2017. The last meeting between the Department of Health/HSE team and the IMO took place in December 2017. The last meeting with the NAGP took place in October 2017.

Discussions are currently paused, and, at my request, officials of my Department are working with their counterparts in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and in the HSE to ensure that the overall approach is focused fully on the strategic challenges and on the Government’s health services reform agenda. It is important to ensure that any new contract will result in service improvements across general practice benefitting both patients and GPs.

I expect that engagement with GP representative bodies will commence shortly. I look forward to progress being made in the coming months on the GP contract.

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