Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Maybe if the Taoiseach had listened to my speech, he would know that they were extracts from Dr. Fiona Kelly’s social media. That is what I read out. It did not come from me. I say that to start with.

Second, where are the GPs the Taoiseach is talking about? Obviously, the Taoiseach says that there might be more GPs, but we have a bigger population, too. That has to be taken into account. His answers today have given me no confidence whatsoever, which every rural doctor and the people of Castletownbere would have wanted. It is similar to the same old spin.

I have spoken to rural doctors and they have solutions. First, on keeping doctors with General Medical Services, GMS, contracts that state GPs have a 24-7 commitment to their patients, younger doctors are not willing to accept this commitment and responsibility. The contract needs to change. Second, the HSE must accept some responsibility for helping to secure locum cover for sick leave, annual leave and maternity leave. Third, GPs should have protected time off for annual leave, sick leave and maternity leave. Otherwise, burnout is inevitable among existing GPs. Fourth, we should cut the red tape and register doctor applicants from outside the EU in no more than one month. Up to now, the process the Taoiseach endorsed so much is a failure because it takes seven to 12 months to register. Fifth, we must allow some older GPs who do not want to retire fully and who want to cover a session or two a week to pay a very reduced rate of insurance registration.

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