GP group tells members to boycott free under-sixes care

GPs are being called upon not to sign contracts for the proposed under-sixes free care scheme.

The National Association of General Practitioners said the programme is unfair to older children who are unwell, and don't have access to free doctors.

The association also says the scheme interferes with ethical guidelines from the Medical Council, which states that doctors have a duty to ensure efficient use of resources and their allocation.

“With hundreds of patients on trolleys in our emergency departments every day and medical cards being removed from or denied to cancer patients, it is morally reprehensible to invest scarce public funds into providing free care to any group of people who do not have a genuine medical or financial need,” the statement said.

The association said it had repeatedly called for an end to a two-tier health system that benefits the wealthier portion of society, asking the Minister to postpone the introduction of under-sixes care until more serious issues involving "gravely ill and vulnerable patients" were resolved.

"In our capital, a north-side Dubliner will die 7 years earlier than his south-side neighbour and yet the south side has one GP for every 1,600 people while the north side has one GP for every 3,000," said Dr Michael McConville, a member of the NAGP’s National Council.

"Our pleas have fallen on deaf ears and the Minister has summarily prohibited us from contributing to the consultation process on the under-6’s scheme.

"In the interest of our patients and our duty as doctors, we have been left with no alternative but to recommend on a point of principle that GPs refuse to sign any contract providing free care to under-sixes."