To ask the Minister of Health (i) to outline reasons why GPs were unable to provide non-emergency care for patients, including remotely via telephone or videoconferencing; (ii) when he expects GPs will be able to resume routine appointments; (iii) for his assessment of the impact of those accessing appointments when routine appointments resume; and (iv) how he will support primary care providers so that patients can access an appointment as soon as possible.

As independent contractors, who contract with the Health and Social Care Board to provide primary medical services, GPs have a responsibility to provide core services to their registered patients and the current COVID-19 pandemic does not in any way negate this requirement.

General practice has rapidly changed the way it works in order to cope with the current Covid-19 emergency and, as part of their business continuity planning, GP practices are operating a telephone triage led system. Telephone triage allows patients to continue to seek medical advice for both routine and urgent problems from the GP practice. The GP then uses their clinical judgement to decide whether the patient can be safely managed over the telephone or needs a face to face appointment.

GP practices will provide face to face appointments (including home visits) for those patients who are assessed as requiring them and all practices have been provided with a supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to allow them to safely provide these necessary face to face appointments.

This ensures that patients are only required to visit surgeries where is it absolutely essential.