13% of GPs won’t participate in under-6s free care scheme

More than 40% of GPs said they would not or were unlikely to participate in the proposed scheme to extend free GP care to children under six.

The survey of 720 GPs — carried out by Dr Aifric Boylan on behalf of the National Association of General Practitioners’ Executive Council — gauged attitudes to the new scheme, conditions and pay within general practice, stress levels, and the future of general practice itself.

Some 13% said they “definitely” would not participate, 28% said they ‘probably’ would not, while 31% were unsure if they would participate with the scheme “in its current form”. Those opposed to the scheme cited the lack of any negotiations between the State and GPs and the absence of any plans to alter General Medical Services (GMS) contracts.