Dáil debates

Tuesday, 24 January 2023

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

3:40 pm

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will let the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, know that the Deputy raised Midoc and out-of-hours services in the midlands. Out-of-hours GP services, which are really important, have evolved on an ad hocbasis. Back in the day when my dad was a GP, GPs did their own calls and were out every night. Nobody would expect anyone to do that any more. When I was a GP, the co-ops started being set up but it is ad hoc. Sometimes they are run by GPs, sometimes by the HSE and sometimes by private companies. That means an inconsistent type and level of service across the country, and it is not cheap either. We need to look at it in the round and come up with a model of care that works for urban Ireland, as well as for rural Ireland where the needs are different.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.