Dr. Ronan Fawsitt:

The Deputy has asked a really good question and my belief is the college must be brought into that negotiation policy process, perhaps not necessarily to negotiate but to advise and inform as to what is a doable process or care programme that can be funded by the State and as to what is of value. Professor Garry Courtney spoke of value-based funding as opposed to activity-based funding. We could perform many procedures in general practice but it might be a waste. My personal view, which is shared by many GPs to whom I have spoken, is a role should be created for the Irish College of General Practitioners in these new contract discussions or negotiations in an advisory, if not an informative way. While it may be limited by statute to negotiating, I suspect there would be a huge willingness for the college to engage in that process. Were the invitation to come, I believe it would be warmly received. Moreover, it would inform both sides. The college has been around for a long time and it really is about care of patients and about standards and quality. I believe that would be a game-changer.