White: Gov will miss july deadline for children's GP care

The Minister responsible for primary care has admitted the Government won't meet its own deadline for free GP care for children.

Alex White has admitted that delays in talks with GP's mean under-sixes won't be able to get free treatment by this summer.

The plan announced in last October's Budget had intended to be in place by the end of this month.

"We did say June / July - it's not going to be June / July. I see every possibility for this to be implemented by the Autumn. I see that as a realistic prospect," he said.

"We've now got eh framework basis for negotiation and consultation with the IMO, and I'm hopeful that will get under way quickly."