Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is obvious from listening to the deputations this morning that the new contract is somewhat down the road. I am concerned about the disconnect between GPs and hospitals. Deputy Kelleher referred to the Kilkenny model. Is anything being done to try to improve the connection in other locations? Such moves do not seem to be under way. As a result, GPs cannot get advice from the people further up the line. This needs to be fast-tracked now. As I have said, it seems we are somewhat down the road from a contract. Therefore, the question arises of how we deal with it in the meantime.

I met some junior doctors with the National Association of General Practitioners. One point that came across from the meeting was the lack of confidence on the part of GPs about the extent to which they could make a living by being a GP. One suggestion thrown out was the question of four or five sessions in hospital. That would cover at least some costs. Recently, I spoke to a GP from Canada. She goes to the hospital and does four three-hour sessions per week there. She has a direct connection with the hospital and the GP practice. We do not seem to have this type of cross-over. The emergency consultants were before the committee last week. They maintain it is happening in some hospitals. However, it is on a small scale. Is this something we should try to develop?