Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 March 2025
455. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health if she will consider the appointment of HSE contracted general practitioners to Balbriggan primary care centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13055/25]
View answerGPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently, there are 2,553 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme. 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.
I understand a number of GPs operate from Balbriggan Primary Care Centre, I have asked the HSE to provide the Deputy with an update on the availability of health services from the centre.
