Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number and percentage of women general practitioners in the general medical scheme, by local health office area. [25042/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether a woman has a right to consult with a woman general practitioner if that is their preference; the steps she is taking to ensure this right can be exercised by women patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25043/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps that will be taken by the Health Service Executive to accommodate women medical card holders who wish to consult with a female general practitioner if there is no female GP on the general medical scheme locally. [25044/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 250: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she will take to increase the number of women general practitioners in the general medical scheme, particularly in rural areas. [25045/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if it is the case that there is no female general practitioner on the general medical scheme in an area (details supplied) in County Donegal; the steps she has taken to rectify this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25046/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 to 251, inclusive, together.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has the operational responsibility for the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. The Executive is anxious to ensure that one of the key principles underpinning the scheme, (i.e. a choice of doctor) is maintained and supported to the fullest extent possible. This includes having regard to available medical manpower and facilitating access to a female doctor on the part of female patients in managing their care. This, however, is not always possible where, for example, there is only one doctor available in an area. In these circumstances the choice available to patients is necessarily limited.

The HSE indicates that as a result of the emergence of group practice arrangements, GP contractors are increasingly employing additional medical personnel in their practices, a development which has contributed to an increase in the number of female doctors to treat patients.

The development of Primary Care Teams, which is a key priority for the Executive, will also ensure that patients have access to a wider range of medical and other professionals, which in turn will enhance the gender composition of primary care resources. In addition, over the past number of years, the majority of participants on GP vocational training courses are female and this trend will contribute further to increasing the number of female GPs into the future. Significant investment in structured GP out-of-hours arrangements over the past decade or so has also enhanced the attractiveness of general practice for female graduates.

I would point out that patients have a right to choose a GP under the GMS Scheme or on a private basis. Medical Council Ethical Guidelines state that doctors who consider that they don't have the necessary skills/facilities to undertake management of a patient should refer to a colleague who does. Doctors must also facilitate a patient's request for a second medical opinion.

In relation to the Deputy's questions regarding the number and percentage of women GPs in the GMS Scheme, by local health area, and the situation regarding the availability of female GPs in the area specified by the Deputy, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address these matters and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.