Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. He is correct to highlight the fact that there are number of challenges facing general practice we need to work on, including the resourcing and, most importantly, ensuring it is well positioned to serve the community now and into the future in line with the Sláintecare report. It is important to acknowledge the factual situation. The number of GPs on the specialist register continues to increase. There were 2,270 GPs on the specialist register in 2010 compared with 3,668 GPs as of 18 May 2018. The number of GPs contracted by the HSE under the general medical services, GMS, scheme has increased from 2,098 in 2008 to 2,497 as of 1 June 2018. The number of GPs providing services under the GMS contract has increased, therefore, along with the number of GPs registered on the specialist register. There are challenges, as we have an ageing and growing population and more chronic diseases that need to be managed in our community. I do not dispute that in any manner.

General practice is one of the cornerstones of the health service. The Government is committed to engaging with the representatives of GPs on the development of a package of measures and reforms to modernise the 1989 GMS contract. Our goal is to develop a contractual framework that has a population health focus providing, in particular, for chronic disease, structured care for chronic disease in the community and up-to-date provisions on service quality and standards, performance and accountability. Officials from my Department and the HSE met the IMO at the beginning of May to set out the State's position. The Department subsequently wrote to the IMO setting out these proposals formally. In line with the long established industrial relations approach to such processes, and with the agreement of the parties concerned, I am not in a position to give further details while this engagement is under way. That is normal during negotiations.

I acknowledge that the NAGP is also anxious to be involved in discussions about reform of the GMS contract. I have indicated my willingness to consult the association formally on the many issues facing general practice and I anticipate that arrangements in this regard will be made in the coming weeks. My Department has written to the NAGP in this regard pointing out that we would commence discussions and negotiations with the IMO, which is a member of ICTU. That is how the State does its business on many contractual issues. However, the Department also stated that we would also provide the NAGP with an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to that. That will happen in the coming weeks and I have put that in writing to the NAGP. I look forward to positive and productive engagement with all parties concerned. The delivery of these new measures for general practice is a priority for Government.

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