GPs to boycott doctor-only medical cards

GPS HAVE no grounds to boycott the 200,000 doctor-only cards which are due to come on stream next month, according to Tánaiste Mary Harney.

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) announced yesterday that it will not co-operate with the cards without negotiations with the Department of Health as it has received legal advice that the cards’ introduction will mean a change to their existing medical card contract.

“The IMO’s legal advice is that any such changes will require to be negotiated and agreed with the IMO. We have sought urgent negotiations with the Tánaiste and the Interim Chief Executive of the Health Service Executive (HSE) in respect of the proposed changes,” said IMO GP committee chairman, Dr Martin Daly.