Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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399. To ask the Minister for Health the criteria used for general practitioners to remove GMS patients from their client list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42545/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Under the General Medical Service contract, the HSE may assign an eligible person, a person who holds a medical card or GP visit card, to a GP’s panel where that person has unsuccessfully applied to at least three GMS GPs in their local area, or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area. Assignments may be reviewed on request from the GP concerned after a period of six months from the date of assignment.

At any time subsequent to the inclusion of an eligible person on their list, or after a period of six month where a patient has been assigned to a GP by the HSE, a GP may request the HSE to arrange for the discontinuance of that person’s inclusion on their panel, giving the reason in confidence where requested. The HSE will notify the person accordingly and supply them with information to enable them to apply for inclusion in the list of another GP. After one month, if the person is not listed with another GP, the HSE shall assign them to another GP unless there are substantial grounds for not doing so. This process is conducted in regular consultation with the IMO.

Separately, the HSE may assign an eligible person to another GP where their GP is resigning or otherwise terminating their GMS contract. In addition, where an eligible person wishes to change their GP themselves, they may make a request for transfer to the HSE.

An eligible person who wishes to change GP or is having an issue regarding their assignment to a GP, should contact the HSE National Medical Card Unit or their Local Health Office.