Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I understand Senator Ryan's point. All professions must change and one of the major problems I face is getting people to understand what team work means. That is a major challenge for all of us who want to achieve a better health service.

Senator Glynn mentioned the co-operatives. I was at the Shannondoc co-op in Limerick, where doctors work together on a team basis. Although a small number of GPs still resist the idea, of the thousands of people treated in the mid-west, only 8% were appropriately referred to accident and emergency wards. The remainder, were treated by the general practitioner or nurse through the co-op. That shows that when things are done properly, with the professions working together as a team, the system works. The corresponding referral figure might be as high as 30% of the people in an area where there is no co-operative. I take the point but the Senator should not worry.