Fear of losing patients ‘key to under-6 deal’

The threat of families switching to a new doctor if their GP chooses to opt out of treating under-6s for free is likely to be one of the key deciding factors in whether doctors sign up.

Such was the feedback from GPs attending the Irish Medical Organisation’s (IMO) AGM at the weekend in the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny where reaction to the €67m agreement was largely bittersweet.

The Kilkenny hurling team doctor, Tadhg Crowley, who was on IMO committee that negotiated the deal, described it as “sweet and sour” but, overall, “a good first step for where general practice wants to go”.