Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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736. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some general practitioners are not facilitating the two week and six week post-natal check for women and newborns; his plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24884/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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General practice has continued to operate during the public health emergency and GPs are still seeing patients where necessary, albeit with infection-control measures in place. However, the exceptional circumstances faced by medical practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a change in how GP services are delivered.

At this time, walk-in clinics are not generally being provided and patients are asked to phone their GP initially to discuss their medical problem. GPs are performing assessments over the phone to determine if a patient needs to attend the surgery. Where clinically indicated, the GP will arrange an appointment to see the patient in the surgery. As with other GP services, GPs must determine whether the two week or six week postnatal in-person check is medically warranted under the circumstances. These measures are necessary to ensure the safety of patients, GPs, and practice staff.

Each GP practice must have regard to its own circumstances and facilities. It is necessary to balance the safety of patients and staff and the needs of individual patients. The decision on what services can be provided and what can be done face to face will depend on each practice’s location, availability of personal protective equipment, resources available to conduct virtual visits and the patient and staff profile of the practice.