Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. I hear what she is saying in respect of practices closing down after Covid. Many things have changed. However, general practice is providing more to the community and, although demand for services has increased, steps have been taken to increase GP capacity and support general practice and those steps are having a positive impact. The increased investment in general practice, with improved fees and supports, is attracting more doctors into general practice. As I stated, the number of doctors training to work as GPs has increased in recent years. The establishment of community-based specialist teams will ease the demand for GP services from older persons and those with chronic diseases. The swift provision of scans through the direct access to diagnostics programme eases the burden on GPs to manage patients awaiting testing. The Senator and I would agree that more work needs to be done to improve GP services further and to cater for increasing demand as the population continues to increase and age and more people are provided with GP care without charges.

The planned strategic review will examine a comprehensive range of issues. It will identify changes and the need for a better GP service into the future.