Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In GP manpower, as Professor O'Dowd will probably be aware, there is a difficulty in people accessing their GP because there are not enough GPs to service the population. Deputy Louise O'Reilly referred to it - GP lists are closed. There is the growing entity of walk-in GP clinics. A GP sets up on a street corner and anyone can just walk in. There is no continuity of care. It is a one-off consultation. It is easily accessible by the public. It is probably cheaper but it does not give the quality of care that we know comes with the continuity of care of an established general practice.

The other development is, because GPs are disillusioned with the present contractual arrangements which have decimated by the FEMPI application to GP funding, GPs are looking for a way out of practice and are now becoming corporatised. There are corporate entities coming into general practice which are taking over practices. GPs see it as a retirement package. It is an exit strategy for them. It makes sense. However, for the patient to be looked after by a corporate entity rather than by a practice entity will not be good for the patient or the population in the long run. Professor O'Dowd might comment on that.