GPs have just received the new contract governing care of under sixes. It has been described as sweet and sour. It gives a cash injection to practices that are in financial difficulty after disproportionate FEMPI cuts but does not give back grants that will allow rural practice to survive.

Minister Leo Varadkar has made it clear GPs will have to agree to free care for under six and over 70 before funding for chronic care will be sought by him.