The Senator raised the issue of the payment of fees to a general practitioner for medical certificates. The Midland Health Board has confirmed that the provision of such certification is not part of the GMS contract and that such an arrangement is a private matter between the doctor and the patient. I was not aware of this matter, which seems to arise only in the Midland Health Board region, and I am not happy with it. I will investigate whether there is anything further I can do. I agree that what is happening is appalling. The people applying for the disabled person's grant have enough problems without this one. In this case it seems the problems are being added to by the general practitioners – it is unfair to blame the Government. The problem is peculiar to the Midland Health Board area. I will investigate and reply to the Senator directly.