Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
412. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if she will consider expanding the Shannon Doc Service in the mid-west region so that it would also include out of hours access to paediatric doctors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73068/25]
View answerGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a General Medical Services (GMS) contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders.
GPs contracted under the GMS scheme are required by their contract to make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with them, or a locum or deputy, for urgent GP care outside of normal practice hours. While there is no obligation to do so, most GPs participate in GP out of hours co-operatives as a means of meeting this contractual requirement. Although the HSE provides funding to support out of hours co-operative services through service level agreements, GP out of hours co-operatives are private organisations.
GPs are expert medical generalists, the first point of contact for most medical issues, and they diagnose and treat patients of all ages. GPs refer patients where clinically appropriate to other healthcare professionals, including to paediatric services.
GP out of hours co-operatives provide GP care where urgently needed outside of normal surgery hours. Patients who are seriously ill or injured should attend their nearest Emergency Department (ED). Patients availing of GP out of hours services may be referred to their nearest ED based on the severity of their condition as appropriate.
