Doctors’ stance to delay free U12s care for year

A refusal by doctors to sign up to free GP care for the under 12s is expected to delay the proposed scheme until at least late next year.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar last night insisted negotiations for free care to children aged 6 to 11 would go ahead, with supports for rural doctors and the management of diseases at the centre of talks with doctors.

The negotiations though will delay extending free care for older children until at least September next year, said Irish Medical Organisation GP committee chairman Dr Padraig McGarry.