GPs consider industrial action in support of striking doctors

GENERAL Practitioners are meeting tonight to consider balloting for industrial action in support of their striking public health colleagues.

Such an action could ultimately result in GPs’ complete withdrawal from the medical card scheme. Irish Medical Organisation GP chairperson, Dr James O’Reilly, said everything would be up for consideration but it would be premature to say what form the action would take.

Options range from disruption to complete withdrawal from the medical card (GMS) scheme.

Dr O’Reilly said Health Minister Mícheál Martin should intervene in the dispute, which has now entered its sixth week, especially with concern increasing that the country may be on the brink of a measles epidemic.

“Now that he is under siege from all quarters perhaps his Cabinet colleagues should rally round him and help him solve it,” Dr O’Reilly said.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that hundreds of newborn babies have not received their BCG vaccinations because of the public health doctors strike. The vaccinations protect against TB and health boards affected will be ensuring babies are inoculated once the dispute is over. All other necessary vaccinations are being administered by GPs.

A spokesperson for the North Western Health Board said there were differences in administering the BCG vaccine, with some areas vaccinating children of school-going age.