GPs seek meeting on free care for over-70s

Doctors are to seek an urgent meeting with the new health minister, expected to be appointed today, to discuss plans to roll out free GP care to all over-70s.

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) criticised the “casual” way the plans were announced by the Taoiseach yesterday, without any timeframe or details of their planned implementation.

Responding to criticism of the process of moving medical cards from elderly people, Enda Kenny said the Government had “made the decision that all persons over 70 will be entitled to access to GP services”.