Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this important issue relating to Macroom. I assure the House that the Government is committed to the continued development of GP capacity to ensure that patients throughout the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas in the future. The Minister for Health is working to ensure that existing GP services are retained and that general practice remains an attractive career option for newly qualified GPs.

The number of GPs on the Medical Council's specialist register continues to increase, from 2,270 in 2010 to 3,857 as of mid-October. The number of GPs holding General Medical Service, GMS, contracts has also risen from 2,098 in 2008 to almost 2,500 in 2019.

The Government is aware of workforce issues facing general practice, including the influence of demographic factors, and in recent years has implemented a number of measures to improve recruitment and retention in general practice. These include changes to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to accommodate more flexible shared GMS GP contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme, allowing GPs to hold GMS contracts until their 72nd birthday, as well as the introduction of enhanced supports for rural GP practices. GP training places have also increased from 120 in 2009 to 192 places filled in 2019, an increase of 60% over this ten year period. In addition, the recent agreement on GP contractual reform will benefit patients and GPs.

In return for co-operation with a range of service developments and reforms, the Government will increase investment in general practice by approximately 40% or €210 million over the next four years. There will be increased support for GPs working in rural practices and for those in disadvantaged urban areas. Improvements in the maternity and paternity leave arrangements have also been agreed, in recognition of the need to ensure that general practice is compatible with doctors' family-friendly commitments.

I am confident that these measures will help make general practice a more sustainable and attractive career option for doctors.

In respect of Macroom, and I understand the valid point the Deputy is making, I understand that the GPs and the out-of-hours co-operative are reporting a significant increase in demand for their services. In addition, the retirement of a single-handed GP in the town has added to the difficulties. I accept the Deputy's point in that regard. The panel has been advertised on two occasions but has not been filled. It is currently being advertised again, both in Ireland and internationally. A locum GP is in place since 16 September and is providing services to general medical services, GMS, scheme and private patients. All other practice staff - the nurse and the secretary - remain in place, funded by the HSE. A locum doctor will continue to be funded until the post is filled.

The GPs in Macroom also provide out-of-hours services. That is managed by SouthDoc, with which HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare has a funded service level agreement in place. Supports have been put in place to reduce the GP out-of-hours commitment by funding locum cover for Sunday shifts. Work is ongoing to reduce further the out-of-hours commitment of the Macroom GPs.

To follow up on the points made by the Deputy, it is essential that we all work closely together on this issue. I will raise the Deputy's concerns with the Minister, Deputy Harris, particularly in respect of Macroom because the case he made is genuine. We have a problem filling the vacancies. The HSE has advertised them nationally, and it may have to do so internationally, to get the GP in the town but the people of Macroom deserve the right to have a proper GP service.

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