Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Health and Children

General Medical Services Scheme

9:00 pm

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 412: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the acceptance of financial donations from general medical services patients constitutes a breach of contract; the steps she has taken to prevent such practices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1281/10]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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It is taken that the Deputy's question is referring to General Medical Services (GMS) provided by General Practitioners (GPs). Under the GMS contract, either capitation or fee-per-item, the GP undertakes to provide all proper and necessary treatment of a kind generally undertaken by a GP to these patients.

The GMS contract, capitation or fee-per-item, contains a specific stipulation that the medical practitioner shall not demand or accept any payment or consideration for services provided under the contract.

If the Health Service Executive is made aware of specific cases where GPs are accepting financial donations from GMS patients or where such patients are being inappropriately charged by GP contractors, it will arrange to have such cases investigated as appropriate.

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