Seanad debates

Thursday, 5 November 2015

10:30 am

Photo of John KellyJohn Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the plight of rural GPs, many of whom find themselves in something of a crisis. While the average patient panel per GP is made up of approximately 1,600 patients, many rural GPs have fewer than 600 patients on their books. There are 21 vacancies for rural GP posts at this time, 17% of which have not been filled for more than one year and 22% for more than two years. Investment in rural practice in this country amounts to 2.5% of the total health budget, compared with 9% in Britain. During the crash, rural GPs lost 40% of their incomes, including the rural practice allowance and the allowance previously given to cover travel to see patients. Back in the 1980s, doctors were entitled to a call-out payment, with a higher rate applying the greater the distance travelled. These allowances were revoked under financial emergency measures in 2008 and 2009 and, now that things are improving, they should be reinstated in order to entice people to take up rural GP posts. I understand the matter is currently under review, but that review is not scheduled to conclude until the end of 2016, by which time we will have lost another tranche of rural GPs. Another problem is that where GPs are forced out of a practice because it is not sustainable, their patients cannot transfer to another GP but must instead make do with a series of locums who do not know their history. I am aware of cases in which rural GPs are earning less than their practice nurses. The only way to solve this crisis is via investment. I will be asking the Cathaoirleach to allow me to raise the matter on a Commencement debate next week.

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