GPs support free health cover for all, says IMO

Irish doctors want free GP care for everyone, a spokesman has said.

Chairman of the GP Committee of the Irish Medical Organisation, Dr Ray Walley, said that doctors would support free healthcare at point of access for all, but it will have to paid for.

"You need to level the playing field and provide healthcare for everybody, making free at point of access," he said.

"It won't be free, buy the way, because somebody has to pick up the bill for this.

"The Irish Medical Organisation has produced a document in the last few years defining that we support universal health cover, and general practitioners want free GP care, and free health cover for all."

Yesterday, the Taoiseach hit back at suggestions that the scheme will be abandoned.

Enda Kenny said a review is being carried out into how it could be delivered, after it emerged implementing it just for those with long-term illnesses first would be bureaucratic and a legal "jungle".

"Let me assure you Deputy [Micheál] Martin, and those 56,000 people you refer to, there is no question of the Government abandoning its commitment, in the Programme for Government, for free GP care for these citizens, and ultimately for the entire cohort of the population," he said.