Written answers

Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Department of Health

General Practitioner Services

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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1317. To ask the Minister for Health if he will support general practitioners who are under a lot of pressure and who are being forced to lay off staff. [37215/13]

Photo of Ciara ConwayCiara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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1360. To ask the Minister for Health if he will reconsider reductions in payments to general practitioners under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act; if he has considered that this will result in patients waiting to see general practitioners as well as possible redundancies; if he will further consider alternative saving measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37535/13]

Photo of Alex WhiteAlex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1317 and 1360 together.

The current General Medical Services (GMS) General Practitioner (GP) Capitation Contract was introduced in 1989 and is based on a diagnosis and treatment model. Under the GMS contract, GPs receive a range of fees and allowances, including an annual capitation payment in respect of each medical card and GP visit card patient on their GMS list.

As a result of the economic downturn, significant restrictions on Health spending have had to be implemented since mid-2008 as part of the Government’s efforts to address the major deficit in the public finances. The health service budget has had to be reduced by approximately €2.5 billion, and is expected to make further substantial reductions in order to help bring the national finances under control.

A review was carried out earlier this year under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2009 in relation to the operation, effectiveness and impact of the amounts and rates payable to general practitioners under the relevant Regulations.

Having carefully considered the submissions made during the consultation process, the Minister for Health decided to reduce certain fees and allowances payable to general practitioners under the GMS Scheme, Immunisation Schemes, HeartWatch and the Maternity & Infant Care Scheme. I am satisfied that the proposed reductions are fair and reasonable. It is estimated that the effect of these cuts will result in an overall reduction of 7.5% in fees and allowances payable to GPs under the schemes in question.

During the consultation process, the Irish Medical Organisation and others expressed the opinion that any fee cuts could result in patients no longer being able to avail of a "same day" GP service and could also cause GPs to reduce staff hours. These issues were considered along with the other points raised during the consultation process.

The following Regulations have been prepared to give effect to the Minister's decisions and these came into effect on 24 July 2013:

- S.I. 277/2013 - Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to General Practitioners) Regulations 2013

- S.I. 278/2013 - Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to General Practitioners) (National Immunisation Programmes) Regulations 2013

Pharmacists, Consultant Psychiatrists and Consultant Ophthalmologists have also been subjected to fee reductions under FEMPI and public sector workers have taken significant further pay reductions under the “Haddington Road” Agreement. It is appropriate that GPs should share the burden on the country’s road to economic recovery.

Under the FEMPI legislation, the Minister for Health is required to carry out a review of the operation, effectiveness and impact of the amounts and rates fixed under the regulations each year. This will involve a full consultation with stakeholders in 2014. A decision will be taken at that time regarding maintaining, restoring or further reducing fees.

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