Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021
890. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioner whole-time equivalents in the public primary care system; the number of general practitioners issuing services under the GMS agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24544/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs play a crucial role in the provision of primary care services. While no central register exists specifically for GPs working in Ireland, all doctors in practice in Ireland must be registered with the Medical Council. As at end December 2020 there were 4,092 doctors on the Medical Council's Specialist Register in the Speciality of General Practice. However, holding registration does not necessarily mean that a medical practitioner is active in general practice.
GPs are self-employed private practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. Under the provisions of the Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Act 2012, a GP can enter into a State contract to provide GP services provided he/she is on the Specialist Register in the Speciality of General Practice.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently 2,534 GPs hold GMS contracts. Many GPs also hold contracts with the HSE to provide services under other state schemes, e.g. the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme, National Cancer Screening Service, Methadone Treatment Scheme etc. There are a further 522 GPs without GMS contracts who hold other such contracts with the HSE, bringing the total number of GPs contracted by the HSE at present to 3,056.
