Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I would like clarification on several points that have been raised. Is there a diagnostics model elsewhere which the witnesses believe we should emulate in terms of stand-alone facilities? The big danger is that if an empty wing in a hospital is used in time it will be taken over by the hospital and we will have the same type of blockages. Is there a regional diagnostic centres model? With regard to the input of the Irish College of General Practitioners into the contract, I accept what the witnesses have said, namely, that it is a policy-based organisation and not a trade union. Given its policy base, however, is it keeping trade union representatives informed of the ratios that exist in GP practices? I refer, for example, to the ratio of practice nurses to GPs? Is the Irish College of General Practitioners having an input on what is the best model? Has it identified premises as an issue that needs to be addressed in the contract?