Jimmy Devins (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this very important issue. I commend the Opposition for putting forward another Private Members' motion on health.

I wish to discuss one aspect of the wide-ranging motion and the amendment, which is the provision of health care at the primary care or general practitioner level. Since I was first elected to the Dáil five years ago, almost all debate has centred on hospitals, while little has been said about care at primary level. However, the fact remains that more than 95% of all encounters that take place occur at GP level. It is patently obvious that a good, well resourced multi-disciplinary general practice would take much of the pressure off our hospitals. Most patients can be dealt with at primary care level and do not need either referral or admission to hospital.

General practice must be well resourced for the system to work at maximum efficiency. For far too long, it has been the Cinderella of medical care, with virtually no resources supplied. Thankfully, that has changed in the recent past and I welcome the recognition that the Minister has given to the vital role of primary care by substantially increasing the funding available. This is manifested in the establishment of over 100 primary care teams throughout the country. These teams are the key to the future. By having a range of services available under one roof in the community, the public can avail of a comprehensive service. Not only is a general practitioner available, but a practice nurse, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist and other support services can be co-ordinated and centred around the patient, who is the most important person in the health service.

Having worked as a GP in Sligo, I know the benefits that can accrue to a patient when a multi-disciplinary team is available to him or her. There are three primary care teams in Sligo and Leitrim, one in north Sligo, one in south Sligo and one in Leitrim. However, there is an urgent need for more. I welcome the fact that €22 million will be provided this year to continue funding the 100 teams and establish a further 100 teams throughout 2007. Some 450 general practitioners are currently involved in the teams and a further 700 will join the teams this year. In addition, 77 physiotherapists, 52 occupational therapists and 80 nurses will be recruited. I ask the HSE to establish some of the extra teams in the Sligo-Leitrim area, as the benefits to patients are increasingly obvious. Primary care can and must play a more pivotal role in health care provision, not only at disease treatment level but also at disease prevention level. More resources must be made available to screen the population for illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cervical and prostatic cancer. I am delighted the Government recently decided to roll out the cervical screening programme to the entire country. I look forward to that happening before the end of the year. Prevention is better than cure. Money spent on screening for such diseases is well spent. The full resourcing of general practice so it can achieve its full potential is essential. I ask the Minister to continue to make available the moneys which have been made available this year. I commend the amendment to the House.

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