Cabinet approves free GP care for under-6s

The Government has approved plans to extend free GP care to all under-6s, despite opposition from doctors.

The Cabinet this morning approved the text of the Health (General Practitioners Service) Bill 2014, which gives effect to the proposal. The legislation is expected to be published shortly.

Minister of State for Primary Care Alex White welcomed the Cabinet's decision to introduce the Bill to the Oireachtas and said the proposal was on track to be introduced by the summer.

“I welcome today’s decision by the Government which will see free GP services extended to all children aged under six by mid-2014, as the first phase in the introduction of free GP care for the full population.

“240,000 children across Ireland will benefit from this innovative public health policy. The Government has provided new, additional funding of €37 million to meet the cost of this measure.

“This is really good news for young families and it represents a significant milestone in the reform of our health services.”

The Minister said he is again contacting the Irish Medical Organisation today with a new proposal for initiating talks. He said he looked forward to hearing its response.

The IMO has attacked the proposal, saying doctors’ surgeries would be overwhelmed by new patients availing of the free care. GPs have also criticised the removal of medical cards from deserving, seriously ill patients at a time when it is proposed to give new cards to all young children, regardless of income.

Although Mr White published a draft contract for GPs providing for free GP care for under-6s earlier this year, the two sides have yet to agree terms for sitting down to discuss the measure.