GP in test case to stall free care for under-6s

A medical doctor has launched a High Court action against the HSE arising out of its plans to provide free GP services to children under six years of age.

In what is regarded as an important test action, Clare-based doctor Yvonne Williams wants the introduction of the new scheme postponed until her representative body, the National Associa-tion of General Practitioners (NAGP), has an opportunity to negotiate the scheme on behalf of its members.

It is claimed the proposed scheme, which is due to come into effect in July, to provide free healthcare to all children under the age of six, will result in changes to Dr Williams’s General Medical Services (GMS) contract with the HSE.