Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
328. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of GPs currently working in Cork; and the number of GPs who were working in Cork in April 2021, April 2022 and April 2023, in tabular form. [18599/24]
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.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. As of the start of this month, there are 2,526 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme, and a further 602 GPs hold some other contract with the HSE for the provision of health services such as services under the Primary Childhood Immunisation Scheme or National Cancer Screening Service.
In relation to the numbers of HSE contacted GPs working in Cork, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
