To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail how he will address the shortage of GPs locally; and whether this will include increasing the number of GPs within the medical workforce.

A Working Group has been established within the Department to consider how best to address the challenges facing GP-led primary care services. In addition, I have recently announced 20 additional GP training places per year from August 2016 and a new five year initiative which will see additional investment in pharmacists to work alongside GPs. Not only will this deliver a better service for patients, ensuring people obtain the best possible health outcomes from their medicines, but it will also boost capacity in primary care.