Dear Doctor,
I wish to update you on the publication yesterday of the Second Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children which deals with Primary Medical Care.
While welcoming the principle of Primary Care Centres, the IMO has expressed concern about the practical and financial challenges in making these Centres work best for all of the stakeholders involved, including Community Health Doctors.
While the IMO is broadly supportive of this Report, we take issue with some of its recommendations including the proposal that contracting pharmacists expand their patient care role, the recommendation that operating hours for centres should extend beyond traditional hours and the recommendation that the teams be located in “defined geographic areas”. We will also require further details on the Committee’s proposals on the “licensing” of these centres - and reassurance that this is not just seen as a revenue generating activity.
Nevertheless the publication of the report is a significant milestone and the challenge now will be to inject a sense of momentum into this debate and ensure those recommendations which are positive for the medical profession, as a whole, are adopted by the Department as policy and the HSE moves quickly to resourcing and implementation.
I would appreciate receiving your comments on the Report which will assist us greatly in our work to promote Community Health Doctors.
Please send your views to communityhealth@imo.ie and I will keep you informed of progress in this regard.
George McNeice
Chief Executive
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