GPs: Funds cut may end vaccinations

TWO thirds of Ireland’s GPs claim they will be unable to keep offering vaccines for illnesses such as TB, hepatitis B, meningitis and measles, if the money they receive from the state for the scheme is cut.

The comment was made in a submission by the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) to the Department of Health over possible health service doctor-related pay changes being considered as part of cutbacks.

In the submission, obtained by trade newspaper Irish Medical News, the union said it cannot support further cuts to GP pay imposed through the Financial Emergency Measures in Public Interest Act, 2009.

As a result, it said two out of every three of Ireland’s GPs could choose not to vaccinate children and adults for highly infectious diseases if the cuts are implemented — potentially putting patients at risk of illness.

“The survey established that GPs would consider not providing the service. It is clear that in each of the vaccination schemes, the majority of GPs say they would cease providing the service if they considered that it was [financially] unviable,” the document noted.

The survey was conducted in August and involved 1,600 GPs in 546 primary care practices across Ireland.

It found that 61% of respondents believed that participation in the primary immunisation scheme will not be possible in the event of a reduction in fees.

The percentage rose to 69% in the event of a cut in fees paid in respect of the hepatitis B vaccination scheme. Similar percentages were also apparent in relation to the pneumococcal and flu vaccinations.

When asked about the likelihood of providing immunisation schemes in the event of cuts, an average of 57% said they would withdraw their services.

GPs have already been forced to reduce medical and administrative staff, patient services and pro-bono services following three previous fee cuts, the submission claimed.

According to the IMO submission, 95% of GPs have already reported a drop in private practice income, which has fallen by an average of 25%.

Further cuts to the money GPs receive for providing the service, which is included in the GMS contract for primary care work, are being considered due to the HSE’s perilous financial situation.

The situation is similar to another state-GP stand-off earlier this year, when primary care doctors said they would start charging patients for blood tests which were previously provided by GPs for free.

The move came after GPs suffered a cut in income and led to widespread accusations that they were putting money before access to the highest quality of care for public patients.

The HSE was unable to respond to the GP stance at the time of going to press.