Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegation for its presentation. I apologise on behalf of Deputy Ó Caoláin who cannot attend today.

We commend the campaign and are totally supportive of the guiding principle that general practice can deliver 21st century care that is free at the point of access to all patients. The Second Stage of the Bill that provides free GP care for children under six will be debated. Do the witnesses care to comment on the current level of engagement between the IMO and the Minister of State? Sinn Féin supports the extension of free GP care but has been critical of the way the measure is being introduced, especially the level of consultations. Has the situation improved for the IMO?

There has been much discussion about children aged under six as well as check-ups, as part of the new legislation. In principle I support both initiatives. Rather than constantly being a curing system we could have a preventative system. Does the IMO see this type of role extension as appropriate if adequate support and resources are provided? Are there bottlenecks in the system that can be readily addressed, for example, diagnostics and access to hospital services? If so, it would allow GPs to relieve pressure on the emergency departments.

The delegation stated that Ireland is facing a shortage of GPs. Why are trained GPs leaving Ireland? Have we sufficient training posts for GPs? What duties, if any, could GPs offload to pharmacists and nurses?