Donnelly to address IMO as medical card debate continues

When the announcement was made in September, Minister Donnelly accepted there were concerns among GPs, however, he said: 'But ultimately, Government has to decide that it is time to do what we all know needs to be done.'

Wider access to medical cards continues to be a point of dispute between doctors and the health minister, as GPs insist they cannot deliver what Stephen Donnelly has promised the public.

Budget announcements in September included provision for the expansion of free access to doctors for six-and seven-year-old children. It also provided for 430,000 more adults to get GP visit cards based on income.