Thomas Gould
Question:188. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health when the contract for SouthDoc will be readvertised. [51022/26]
View answerThursday, 9 July 2026
Questions (188)
Written answers
The GMS contract requires GPs to make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with them for urgent GP care outside of normal practice hours. It is a matter for each GP to determine how to meet this obligation, but most GPs do this by participating in GP out of hours co-operatives.
In counties Cork and Kerry, GPs generally meet this obligation by arrangement with South-West Doctor-on-Call Limited, known as SouthDoc. The HSE does not contract SouthDoc to provide out of hours GP services, although it does support GPs providing out of hours services through SouthDoc with funding to support service delivery. A Service Level Agreement determines the governance arrangements in place for oversight of this support and service provision.
Of note, a Strategic Review of General Practice is currently underway. The Review is examining the issues affecting general practice including GP training, GP capacity, Out of Hours services reform, and the financial support model for general practice. The Review will identify the arrangements necessary to be put in place a sustainable general practice model, including out of hours, as part of a primary care focused health service and in line with the Sláintecare vision on access.
Out of hours services are a function of the GP GMS contract, ensuring an effective and integrated service approach across day–time and out of hours GP services. GPs themselves determine whether they participate in an out of hours co-operative. While the review may identify reforms in how out of hours GP services are delivered, while it is being completed existing arrangements will remain in place.