Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2024
159. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the relevant bodies to provide funding and support to assist younger GPs to establish practices by providing purpose-built GP premises, thereby avoiding substantial capital expenditure on 'bricks and mortar' (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8195/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
General practitioners who hold a GMS contract are reimbursed for the services they provide to medical card and GP visit card holders on behalf of the HSE. GMS GPs are remunerated through capitation payments and fee-per-item payments for certain services. Practices also receive a range of financial supports.
Under the GMS scheme, GPs are paid a subsidy towards the cost of employing a practice nurse and/or a practice secretary. The rate payable depends on the GP's GMS panel size and the level of experience of the nurse or secretary. A practice manager subsidy is also available. GPs working in rural areas who meet the qualifying criteria will qualify for an annual rural support allowance, and contributions are also made towards locum costs for various GP leave arrangements.
The 2019 GP Agreement increased the practice support package for rural GP practices by 10% and introduced a €2 million support for GP practices in disadvantaged urban areas. Practices in receipt of rural practice supports attract the maximum allowable rates for practice staff support subsidies and locum contributions for leave taking. Last year's GP Agreement 2023 increased the existing subsidy rates for practice staff, and introduced a new grant support for additional practice staff capacity as well as a practice staff maternity leave support.
A financial support specific for the establishment of practices is not provided under the GMS scheme.
My Department and the HSE have commenced a Strategic Review of General Practice. The review, with input from key stakeholders, will examine the broad range of issues affecting general practice and will set out the measures necessary to deliver a more sustainable general practice into the future. Under this review, consideration is to be given to the development of the support model necessary to underpin the provision of sustainable GP services in the context of the Sláintecare vision of universal GP access.
It is worth noting that some GP practices operate from HSE Primary Care Centres (PCCs). PCCs are modern, purpose-designed buildings that provide a single location for a primary care team to work from. As of the end of last year there are 174 PCCs operational with 7 more due to open this year.
