Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Is there scope for improvement if new technology and near patient testing were introduced? There has been decades of under investment and there are more reasons that people cannot access hospitals. Is there a role in GP practices in disadvantaged areas, specifically to offset some of the problems created by delays in accessing hospitals, as outlined by Dr. Gibney?

In terms of a higher capitation payment with the deprivation link, would that be reduced if the number of services increased? If one had more services, one would not necessarily need a higher amount of money. What would happen if services were linked to the deprivation rate, in terms of the ratios, rather than the money? If the GP practice had a choice in this matter which would be most beneficial?

My next question is in terms of the education project, specifically the community-based project to assist women to give up smoking, which is a very worthwhile cause. Can the GPs identify other projects?

I apologise for being a bit late arriving but from what I have heard, the amount of time is paramount. Earlier Dr. McGinnity said that she had to leave one patient to deal with another patient. Is there scope for taking some of those issues out of the surgery and into the community, and assisting in the management of long-term issues like smoking? If there is scope, what form would it take?