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.