Free GP care for under sixes by July, despite GP objections

The Cabinet-signalled free GP care for children under six will be pushed through by July, despite the medical profession insisting the initiative is unworkable.

Junior health minister Alex White urged doctors to reopen negotiations on implementing the reform after ministers gave it their official backing.

The Cabinet approved the Health (General Practitioners Service) Bill 2014, and its provisions are to be unveiled next week. However, the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) is unhappy with the proposals, warning the move could “overwhelm” GP surgeries.

Some GPs have also expressed anger that medical cards have been withdrawn from needy individuals, while free GP care is to be offered to some children regardless of their family’s income.

The IMO said the Government was treating doctors with “contempt”, and a July start-up for the scheme was “unachievable”.

The CEO of the National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP), Chris Goodey, said: “The health department are refusing to discuss resourcing the scheme with the IMO and NAGP which means that any discussions would be pointless. I am very disappointed by the fact that the minister is continuing to spin that he and his officials are prepared to engage with GPs’ representative bodies, when it is quite clear that the minister is unwilling to engage in any meaningful sense.”

Mr White urged doctors to think again.

He said: “240,000 children across Ireland will benefit from this innovative public health policy. The Government has provided new, additional funding of €37m to meet the cost of this measure.”

Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald hailed the initiative as a landmark move which will boost healthcare.

A spokesperson for the Government said it was still the intention for the Oireachtas to pass free GP care for those under six into law by July.