New president of IMO says doctors need funding if they are to provide new health services

The new president of the Irish Medical Organisation has said Doctors need funding if they are to provide new health services as planned.

John Duddy has said the next Government needs to put a long term plan in place to provide basic resources so that GPs and medics can implement new policies - like free GP visits for the under sixes.

The neurosurgeon at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin will make his first address to the organisation later today.

Dr Duddy has said the next Minister for Health needs to back up plans with financing: “You know over a medium term to address those issues is not something that is going to be solved, overnight.

We would be looking at things like increasing the funding to hospitals, increasing the capacities in hospitals, to address the overcrowding crisis there.

“There needs to be proper resourcing of general practice so the GP’s can provide all of the services the Government is asking them to do.”