GP co-ops seek end to out-of-hours contract rule

The National Association of GP Co-ops is seeking the removal of the GMS contract requirement for GPs to provide out-of-hours services, the Medical Independent (MI) has learned.

The measure, which GPs are hoping will be included in recommendations in the imminent strategic review of general practice report, would instead see the out-of-hours service provided by full-time out-of-hours GPs only.

GPs have long argued that the current requirement to provide out-of-hours care, as stipulated under the GMS contract for treating medical card patients, places an excessive burden on their workload.

According to the Chairperson of the National Association of GP Co-ops, Dr Ken Egan, there seemed to be a continuing lack of acceptance “by the HSE and their advisors that the vast majority of GPs are overworked and no longer wish to do out-of-hours work”.

“In fact, GPs have demonstrated this as most of them now employ locums to do their out-of-hours work,” he told MI.

“It is hoped the [strategic review] will acknowledge this and recommend out-of-hours companies employ full-time, out-of-hours GPs, thus moving the responsibility to locate locums to the co-op companies. The GPs, who are in the majority on the boards of the co-op companies, can ensure that standards and services are maintained.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Health declined to say when the review would be published. It is understood that the report is expected shortly. However, Dr Egan said the Association “expected further consultation prior to publication of the report”.