Number of GPs qualifying for rural allowances to double

The number of GPs qualifying for rural allowances is to double to more than 300 under newly introduced measures.

The €10 million package, designed to ensure continuing access to GPs for patients living in rural areas, includes increases in allowances and wider eligibility for supports for doctors living in sparsely populated parts of the State.

Under a separate measure which has also come into force, new services including 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and modern contraception services will become available for medical card patients in all GP surgeries.

Medical groups had expressed concern about a delay in introducing the new measures arising from the failure to sign the statutory instruments giving effect to the changes.

Statutory instruments

Former minister for public expenditure Brendan Howlin signed the statutory instruments last week in one of his last official acts before leaving office.

Under a deal agreed with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) in February, the rural-practice allowance for GPs rises to €20,000 from €16,216.

It is estimated an additional 165 GPs will qualify for rural practice supports in addition to the 167 doctors receiving the rural practice allowance.

The framework will be extended to partnership and group practices, and will no longer be restricted to single-handed doctors only.

Allowance-holders who do not meet the new criteria will continue to receive the payment until retirement.

Restrictions requiring doctors to live in a centre have been removed, and GPs can now live within a reasonable distance of their place of work.

Increases

The agreement provides for big increases in the payments for “special items of service”. Doctors will be paid €50 for suturing, up from €24.80, and €60 for bladder catheterisation compared to the current rate of €37.21.

New items of service are also being introduced, such as a fee of €60 for 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

The agreement is the first item to be dealt with under wider talks with the IMO on a new GP contract.

The Department of Health said the measures would help attract GPs to rural areas and retain those working there.

“This is in line with the policy of maximising the number of people treated in the primary care setting, and facilitating speedier diagnosis and treatment of conditions and improved health outcomes.”