Free GP care plan for under-6s ‘draconian’

The Irish Medical Organisation has claimed legislation to facilitate free GP care for the under-sixes is “draconian” and “an attempt to unilaterally re-write the relationship between GPs and the HSE”.

Dr Ray Walley, chairman of the GP Committee of the IMO, said the legislation, (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2014, which was published yesterday “has nothing to do with GP visit cards for children”.

“It is nothing less than a unilateral attempt to replace the long-standing General Medical Services (GMS) contract with a new, draconian contract which will destroy the very fabric of the GP service in Ireland,” he said.

He also predicted GPs will react “with fury” to the proposals which, he said, raise very serious concerns about the future viability of the service.

The IMO said the new contract will:

- “Institutionalise” the provisions of emergency legislation (FEMPI) in regard to GPs. “This will allow the minister to unilaterally reduce, vary and change fees paid for GP services at any time”;

- Force GPs to move to the new contract by removing existing GMS patients to the new scheme;

- Abolish the right of the IMO to negotiate on behalf of its GP members;

- Allow the minister to vary the fees without any negotiation at any time

Dr Walley said that the new legislation would accelerate the departure of GPs from the Irish health services: “This legislation... reflects an arrogant mindset by an arrogant government that should know better.”

Last night the Department of Health said the minister had “noted” the IMO statement.

“The minister is awaiting a response to his invitation to the IMO to a meeting on a without-prejudice basis to explore a potential framework for engagement,” it said.