MINISTER FOR Health James Reilly has invited medical organisations to engage in what is expected to be the opening talks on a new contract for general practitioners (GPs) and hospital consultants.
However, the letters, which were issued on Friday to the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) and the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, do not set out any Government proposals for new contractual arrangements.
The new programme for government says a new contract will be put in place for both GPs and hospital consultants. It says there will be cuts in remuneration for both groups under the new contract.
A spokesman for the Minister said yesterday he had asked the medical organisations to talks to allow him to set out his views and to listen to their opinions.
It is understood the Minister is scheduled to meet with the Irish Hospital Consultants Association next week.
A spokeswoman for the IMO, which represents both GPs and hospital consultants, said yesterday it had received an invitation from the Minister and it would be responding positively in due course.
Dr Reilly had said shortly after his appointment that he expected to begin talks with GPs and hospital consultants on new contracts, which would see their remuneration cut, within three months.
The programme for government also says universal primary care, which would see the removal of GP fees, would be introduced during its first term in office.
“Under universal primary care GPs will be paid primarily by capitation for the care of their patients and will work in primary care teams with other primary care professionals.
“A new GP contract will provide incentives to GPs to care more intensively for patients with chronic illnesses. This will significantly reduce pressure and demands on the hospital system,” it says.
There are about 2,100 GPs contracted by the HSE to provide services to patients with medical card and GP visit cards.
Over the last two years there have been two separate cuts to fees and allowances paid to GPs.
In July 2009, an 8 per cent reduction in fees and allowances was introduced in a move aimed at saving €34 million. In December 2010 the then government again invoked financial emergency legislation to reduce a range of GP fees and allowances in a move aimed at saving up to €48 million.