Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to reports of threats and harassment faced by general practitioners during house calls or at their practice; the measures she plans on putting in place to ensure general practitioners continue to treat patients effectively and safely; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29541/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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GPs who hold General Medical Services Scheme contracts for service with the Health Service Executive (HSE) are self-employed practitioners who undertake to provide general practitioner services for their assigned patients for a total of 40 hours, to cover surgery and domiciliary visits, on 5 or more days per week, as agreed with the Executive. They are also obliged to put in place arrangements that enable contact to be made with them or a deputy/locum for emergencies outside of these times.

The Primary Care Strategy provides for the delivery of comprehensive, multidisciplinary services in the primary care setting with health professionals co-located where appropriate. I believe that this team approach to Primary Care, whereby GPs work as part of a team rather than in isolation, provides a safer environment in terms of GPs' personal security.

Between 2000 and 2005 approximately €105 million was allocated to the health boards (now the HSE) for Out of Hours GP co-operative service development. In 2006 almost €34 million is available to the HSE for this area. GP Out of Hours services are now available in all HSE areas, providing coverage in all or in part of all counties. GPs who participate in out of hours co-operatives have a driver provided for any Out of Hours house calls and the treatment centres have other support staff that may include security if local management feel it is appropriate.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the out of hours co-op for north County Dublin is to commence operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29583/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) that it established a Task Force in June, 2006 to oversee the development of the out-of-hours general practitioner service for North Dublin city and county. The HSE has indicated that work to bring this service into operation is proceeding, with a view to it commencing in the coming weeks. Rollout will proceed thereafter on a phased basis, with services being provided from a number of locations across the north side of Dublin.