Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 February 2022
778. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to providing a partnership pathway support funding model to allow for existing general practitioners to take on assistants to enter into succession arrangements to take over the practice on a phased basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5007/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are private contractors, most of whom hold contracts with the HSE for the provision of medical services such as contracts under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme for the provision of medical services without charge to patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card. In addition to direct remuneration for medical services provided under the GMS contract, the contract provides a range of GP practice supports including practice staff supports and supports for rural practices and for those working in disadvantaged urban areas.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement on Contractual Reform and Service Development, a working group consisting of members from the Department of Health, the HSE and the IMO, has been established to review current GMS succession arrangements in order to streamline succession arrangements and reduce the succession timeframe. The working group made significant progress prior to interruption by the Covid-19 pandemic, it is hoped that this work will be finalised in the near future. However, there are currently no plans to implement funding supports related to succession arrangements.
The 2019 GP Agreement includes a commitment to undertake a strategic review of GP services within the lifetime of the Agreement, to examine how best to ensure the provision of GP services in Ireland for the future. The outcome of this review will inform future contractual changes.
