Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
431. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health what measures are being taken to increase the number of GPs around the country, and Kilkenny in particular; and whether current GPs use waiting list systems.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11457/24]
View answerGeneral Practitioners are private practitioners. In an instance where a GP practice has a full list and cannot take on new patients, it is a matter for the GP practice concerned to decide to keep a waiting list of patients who wish to register with them if appropriate.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Under the terms of these contracts, the maximum number of medical card or GP visit card patients on a GP's patient panel may not exceed 2,000, or 2,200 if the GP also holds an under 8s contract, except in exceptional circumstances.
Where a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign that person to a GP's GMS patient list.
It is a matter for individual GP practices to determine the number of private patients they can accept.
As private practitioners, GPs may also establish practices at a place of their own choosing. The State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. While recruitment is ongoing, the HSE put a locum or other suitable arrangement in place to provide continuity of care for the area concerned. As of the 6th of March, there are no GMS vacancies in Kilkenny.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas, and is working to ensure that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice was increased by €211.6m. This provided for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees for additional services and increased practice supports. The GP Agreement 2023 further increased GP capitation fees, increased the existing subsidy rates for practice staff, and introduced a grant support for additional staff capacity as well a practice staff maternity leave support.
The number of doctors entering GP training has been increased significantly in recent years, with 286 new entrants in 2023 and 350 places planned for new entrants for this year. Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by over 80% from 2015 to 2023, and the number of new entrant places to be available this year is a 22% increase on last year's intake.
Furthermore, GP recruitment is ongoing under the joint non-EU GP Training Programme between the HSE and ICGP. 112 non-EU GPs were recruited last year under the training programme, of which 84 were in practice by the end of January. Following the programme’s success in 2023, funding has been made available for the planned recruitment of up to 250 more non-EU GPs this year.
Finally, my Department and the HSE have commenced a Strategic Review of General Practice. The review, with input from key stakeholders, is examining the broad range of issues affecting general practice including issues related to GP capacity. When completed, the review will set out the measures necessary to deliver a more sustainable general practice into the future.
