Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)

This is a worthwhile Bill. The GMS scheme has been in operation since Rory O'Hanlon was Minister for Health in 1989 and, like many other things, it is about time we took a fresh look at it. It is high time we re-examined the scheme. It is a shame in a way that it has taken the pressure of the troika to achieve this but perhaps this is a patch of silver lining in a dark cloud that has been cast by the restrictions we face as a result of the EU-IMF bailout. The need for change is highlighted when one considers the substantial difficulties with the current scheme, especially from the point of view of qualified GPs who are unable to access the GMS list as well as for patients seeking affordable health care. The legislation will enable non-medical card holders to access more affordable health care, which is a strong component of Labour Party policy in government.

Currently, GPs can only secure GMS contracts in restricted circumstances and this has led to a situation where aspirants must wait for a colleague to die or retire and they cannot access a list of medical card patients, which is far from ideal. It creates problems for GPs not on the list as they can only see private patients which, in turn, contributes to driving up prices for non-medical card holders. The GMS scheme has come to be seen by some GPs as a guaranteed cash cow in addition to the benefits they receive through employing additional staff for their practice and drawing down State fees. One GP in my constituency received more than €500,000 in payments, which is an incredible sum. Statistics like this give me great pleasure in welcoming the Bill to address an inequality that needs to be tackled and I am glad the Government is doing so.

The State spends a significant amount annually on the education of young medical students, many of whom must leave because they cannot find somewhere to finish their training. I have a number of female friends who are qualified doctors and who, for different reasons, would prefer the life of a GP and the opportunity to work in the community but they have been forced to emigrate. This is another element of the brain drain. These are young doctors who have been educated by the State and they must leave because opportunities are not available for them to pursue a GP career. I welcome the Bill in the hope it will open the GMS scheme to new applicants and that the system will be fairer.

However, I add a word of caution.

The new Bill does not contain any measures to encourage GPs to display their prices, as dentists must. This should be made obligatory so people can compare prices. If a person goes to the hairdresser or to the dentist, he knows what he will pay, but currently there is no provision for a doctor to display his prices. This should be examined as the Bill goes through the House.

This Bill is welcome; it is a positive step that will help to open the market and will benefit patients and GPs, paving the way for something I fundamentally support as a member of the Labour Party - universal health care.

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