Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses and thank them for coming in today. I will take it chronologically. I will field the questions first and give the witnesses a right to reply then.

Professor O'Connor mentioned nine community health organisations, CHOs. She stated that five CHOs do not have waiting lists over a period. What was that specific period and where were the five CHOs? Professor O'Connor spoke about the choice and partnership approach, CAPA. Will she elaborate on that for me? I was trying to listen and take notes. I would like greater elaboration on how that model is more advantageous than what is currently in place. Professor O'Connor spoke of the need for interdepartmental working groups. Does she see that overlapping with any working groups that may be present already at a higher level within the system, because the last thing we want is overlap? We are seeing some overlap in places.

I thank Dr. Osborne for his presentation. He mentioned there is a reduction in stigma when patients are assessed by a GP team or by a GP. Will he elaborate on the factors behind that? Are there studies behind that assertion and specific evidence on that?

Dr. O'Shea stated that 13% of GPs do not have working email addresses.