Discussions with GP representatives were progressed on a wide range of items throughout 2017 without reaching a conclusion.
A new phase of discussions commenced in May 2018 based on the mandate set by Government in March. Officials from the Department and the HSE met with the Irish Medical Organisation at the beginning of May to set out the State's position in relation to the GMS contract and to progress this important issue. The State side set out the mandate agreed by Government under which the consultations were being conducted and the package of measures to be agreed.
The Department subsequently wrote to the IMO, at the Organisation’s request, setting out these proposals formally. The IMO responded to the Department by letter on 20 July.
Talks between the State and the IMO resumed in October 2018 and there was intensive engagement, particularly in the weeks leading up to Christmas. While some progress was made, there are a number of outstanding issues that need to be progressed before any agreement can be secured.
The State’s negotiating team is keen to bring a renewed focus to the engagement with the IMO in coming weeks in an effort to bring matters to a conclusion.
I look forward to positive and productive engagement with all parties concerned. Agreement on the delivery of service improvements and contractual reform would facilitate a very substantial increase in the resourcing of general practice on a multi annual basis.
In line with the long-established approach to such processes, and by agreement of the parties concerned, I am not in position to give further details while engagement between the parties is under way.
