merrion street

Minister of State for Primary Care Alex White today (28 May 2014) welcomed the Framework Agreement between the Minister of Health and the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) which sets out a process for engagement concerning the GMS/GP contract and other publicly funded contracts involving General Practitioners.

“This agreement has been reached after a series of discussions between myself and officials from my Department and the HSE with officials from the IMO following my invitation to the IMO to enter ‘talks about talks’ at their Annual Conference on 26 April 2014. I am pleased that these talks have culminated in the drawing up of this agreement” said Minister White.

The framework agreement sets out a proposed process for engagement on all aspects of the GMS contract with GPs with due regard to the IMO’s role as a representative body of medical practitioners and within the context of the provisions of the primary legislation that will underpin the introduction of GP care free at the point of access.

“I want to thank the officials from my Department, the HSE, and the IMO who have been instrumental in drawing up this agreement. I believe it will pave the way for open and constructive discussions in the future regarding primary care which will lead to an enhanced GP service in communities across Ireland” said Minister White.