Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael)

I too welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for attending and informing us of what is happening. This is a good Bill and I hope the legislation is introduced at an early date. Allowing more GPs into the general medical card scheme will improve patient access to GPs in rural areas, particularly for patients with medical and GP visit cards. With the introduction of this legislation, GPs will be able to establish practices in locations of their choice. Statistics show that 60% of the population receive GP services on a fee-paying basis and 40% receive such services under the GMS scheme. That 40% is a significant proportion of the population and it is important they have the chance now to shop around.

The enactment of this Bill will satisfy the terms of the EU agreement and will lift the restriction to trade and competition that existed in sheltered sectors. It will also eliminate the restrictions on GPs who wish to treat public patients. The current practices for allowing a GP into the GMS scheme are restrictive and outdated, as GPs can only obtain a position where a vacancy arises due to retirement, resignation or the death of a GMS scheme doctor.

I thank the Minister for being with us and for his work on this Bill, which is a move in the right direction. The Minister may not have this information, but can he let me know whether mammography services will be returned to Sligo General Hospital?