Written answers

Wednesday, 5 July 2017

Department of Health

General Practitioner Contracts

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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206. To ask the Minister for Health if routine blood tests are covered under the general medical service contract. [31740/17]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP, or the Practice Nurse on behalf of the GP, which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition. The HSE has advised GPs that where a blood test forms part of the investigation or necessary treatment of a patient’s symptoms or conditions, this should be free of charge for patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card. Notwithstanding this, I am aware that in recent times some GPs have begun to charge GMS patients for phlebotomy services in some circumstances.

This is a matter of concern for me as it has long been the position of the Government and the Oireachtas that no user charges should apply to GP services provided to GMS and GP visit card patients. If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, then that patient may make a complaint to the HSE Local Health Office, who will deal with the matter in accordance with the HSE's Complaints Policy.

In order to achieve clarity on this issue, I have asked that any difference of perspective in relation to the provision of phlebotomy services be addressed in the GP contractual review process, which is currently under way. I look forward to constructive and positive engagements with a view to achieving a satisfactory outcome.

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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207. To ask the Minister for Health if screening for conditions such as diabetes and high cholesterol is covered under the general medical service contract. [31741/17]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Under the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess." Screening for specific illnesses or diseases is not a requirement of the contract but may be offered by some GPs.

The next phase of discussions on a new GP contract is underway. The aim is to develop a new modern GP contract which will facilitate the shift within the health service away from hospital services towards an integrated primary care service in order to deliver better care close to home in communities across the country. I want to see a new contract which has a population health focus, providing in particular for health promotion and disease prevention and for the structured ongoing care of chronic conditions.

Officials in my Department and the HSE are in discussions with GP representatives with a view to drawing up a new contract. The appropriate arrangements in relation to the screening and management of chronic conditions, including diabetes, will be considered as part of the new GMS contract.

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