Written answers

Thursday, 17 December 2015

Department of Health

General Practitioner Contracts

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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439. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1 of 3 December 2015, the progress following the ongoing negotiations; if he or the Health Service Executive has an indication of the number of rural general practitioners expected to retire in each of the next five years; if he is satisfied with the executive's revisions to the rural general practitioner supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45999/15]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Discussions between the HSE, the Department of Health and the Irish Medical Organisation on a comprehensive review of the General Medical Services (GMS) and other publicly-funded health sector contracts involving GPs are ongoing.

As stated previously, the HSE has recently reviewed its guidelines for dealing with applications for a Rural Practice Allowance. I am satisfied that this will help ensure consistency, transparency and fairness in decision-making in respect of the relevant discretionary provisions of the GMS contract pertaining to the granting or otherwise of the allowance to new applicants.

In regard to the number of rural GPs expected to retire over the next five years, as this is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with the Executive.

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