Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
372. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of a general practitioner out of hours service in north County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31788/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to the development of an improved GP out of hours service for North Wicklow which can provide the appropriate level of cover for the population of the area. The development of such a service will allow GPs to participate fully in the provision of an integrated healthcare system providing medical services that are appropriate, timely and effective, easily accessible and responsive to the needs of patients.
There is funding provision for the introduction of a structured GP out of hours service for the South Dublin / North Wicklow areas in the HSE 2018 National Service Plan. This service is intended to cover the night time hours from Monday to Friday and 24 hour cover at weekends and public holidays, providing urgent general practitioner services to patients outside of normal surgery hours. The service will include initial triage and GP consultation at treatment centres or home visits as appropriate, in accordance with HIQA standards for Safer Better Healthcare.
The procurement process to identify a service provider is underway and the HSE published a tender on the eTenders website at the beginning of May 2018. The tender period concluded on 08 June 2018 and the evaluation process in ongoing. The evaluation process is likely to conclude with a decision to award in late July. Following any decision to award the tender, a standstill period of fourteen days as required under procurement law will apply.
Subject to successful selection of a suitable service provider, the service is scheduled to be operational this year.
