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General Practitioner Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 May 2018

Wednesday, 9 May 2018

Ceisteanna (181)

John Curran

Ceist:

181. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the number of general practitioners in communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20326/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

GPs play an important role in the primary care system. The number of GPs on the specialist register continues to increase – up from 2,270 in 2010 to 3,661 as of 1st May 2018 and there are now 2,491 GPs contracted by the HSE under the GMS scheme compared to 2,098 in 2008. It should be noted that as of 1st March there were only 23 GMS panels that do not have a permanent GP in place – a vacancy rate of less than 1%.

The Government is committed to increasing GP capacity to ensure that patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future. 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.

In addition, the Government has also taken steps to expand GP training. In 2009, there were 120 GP training places and this year we expect to fill 194 places, an increase of over 60% in this nine year period. The Programme for Government commits to further increasing this number to 259 places annually in future years.

The Government is also committed to engaging with GP representatives on the development of a package of measures and reforms to modernise the current GMS contract. Our goal is to develop a contractual framework that has a population health focus, providing in particular for health promotion, disease prevention and for the structured care of chronic conditions. This will enable general practitioners to better meet the needs of patients and will also promote general practice as a viable and rewarding career for both existing doctors and future medical graduates.

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