Varadkar selling out patients over free GP care

New health minister Leo Varadkar has been accused of selling out patients to win over doctor support for the Government’s "free" GP care plan, after suggesting the policy may now involve a €5-10 "nominal" fee.

The claim was made by Sinn Féin health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin after Mr Varadkar suggested the fee may be needed to ensure medics were not “overwhelmed” by patients seeking help.

Under plans initially put forward by his predecessor, Dr James Reilly, free GP care for children under the age of six and adults over the age of 70 is due to be introduced by the start of next year. The policy will then be rolled out to the rest of the population, a move Dr Reilly envisaged would be the first significant step towards his now delayed universal health insurance initiative.

Last week, during his first in-depth interview since taking the health portfolio, Mr Varadkar said the policy would remain untouched.

However, yesterday he suggested a change was being considered, stating the “free” GP care plan may now include a “nominal” charge of €5-10 for anyone visiting their doctor under the scheme.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio, the Minister stressed “your listeners of course know that nothing is free. We all know that the health services have to be paid for.”

A senior spokesperson for Mr Varadkar added the fee, which is “part of ongoing negotiations” with medical unions, would be aimed at ensuring GP clinics were not “overwhelmed” by patients who do not need to see a doctor. He added it was significantly lower than the current €50-60 average charge and is similar to policies in Sweden and elsewhere.

However, Mr Ó Caoláin said the change — which has yet to be rubber-stamped — effectively means patients are being sold out to ensure doctor backing for the plan.

“The words ‘nominal fee’ and ‘free’ don’t belong in the same sentence. The Minister is clearly preparing the population for a row-back on the issue. Free GP care should be an entitlement of all. Is this free care or not,” he asked.

Medical unions have been highly critical of the practicalities of the free GP care plan, with the Irish Medical Organisation warning last month that it could lead to 750,000 extra consultations per year and the Irish College of General Practitioners claiming last week there were not enough GPs in the country for it to work.

However, a key issue in the debate is the amount of money GPs may lose as part of the policy, meaning the “nominal” charge is central to ongoing talks.

After Mr Varadkar suggested the fee issue was on the cards last week, Fianna Fáil health spokesperson Billy Kelleher took a similar stance to Mr Ó Caoláin, saying the Minister had “questions to answer” over the possible charge.