Doctors Fee 'Cap' Recommended

A report by the Competition Authority (CA) has recommended reform of the system for paying their doctor - including a per-visit fee cap of €40.

The Authority's recommendations for changes in the General Medical Services (GMS) system would also benefit patients by allowing for increased competition between General Practitioners (GP) practices having found that competition between GP practices is restricted by certain features of the current GMS system.

The changes proposed by the Authority should lead to improved choice and quality of service for both private and public patients as well as helping the State to secure value for money in purchasing GP services for public patients.

As well as the €40 cap on each visit, the recommendations are for access to GMS contracts being made available to all qualified GPs and for GPs in possession of a GMS contract to be free to set up in, or move to, the location of their choice.

Also, decisions to award a GMS contract in a particular area should not have to take account of the viability of GPs already practising in the area.

The interview system for awarding GMS contracts should no longer favour GPs who already have a GMS contract over those who don't and the current marking system awards more points to GPs who already hold a GMS contract.

Payments to GPs under the GMS should not be decided on the basis of agreement with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), but should be decided by the Minister for Health and Children, following consultation with GPs, and the IMO, if desired.

Commenting on the report, Chairperson of the Competition Authority, Declan Purcell, said: "These are win-win-win recommendations; patients, newly-qualified GPs and the State can benefit from these changes."

The CA group comprised economists and health care professionals, and was asked by the Health Minister Mary Harney to look at how resources are allocated and financed.

The report also recommends that the primary-care card system would see people paying a small capitation fee to their GP, along with a fee per visit, depending on their needs.

(BMcC/KMcA)