Talks between Government and IMO on free GP care plan to take place today

The first direct engagement between the Government and family doctors on the Coalition’s controversial plans for free GP care for children under six are to take place today.

Minister of State at the Department of Health Alex White and members of the GP committee of the Irish Medical Organisation will hold "talks about talks" in relation to the Government's plans.

The Government is seeking to introduce free GP care for under-sixes from this summer as a first step towards the provision of universal family doctor care for everyone by 2016.

Health insurance
Free GP care is also a key element of the Government's overall plans to introduce universal health insurance for all by 2019.

However, the free GP plan has been beset by rows with doctors over the draft contract for the proposed service drawn up by health service management and over whether the Government can or cannot negotiate with the IMO on the fee levels to apply under the scheme.

The Government has insisted that under competition law it cannot negotiate on fees with GPs who are not State employees but rather are independent contractors.

Addressing the IMO’s annual conference last month Mr White urged GPs to engage in what would amount to “talks about talks” in relation to the Government plans.

He said there were many issues relating to a proposed contract for the new service which could be negotiated with the IMO but that ultimately the setting of the fees to be paid had to remain a matter for the Minister. He suggested that the draft contract drawn up by the HSE for the proposed service did not represent a “fait accompli”.

The Minister also indicated it was unlikely GPs would face further cuts in professional fees under financial emergency legislation introduced by the Government.

Last week the IMO said it would accept the Minister's invitation to talks about talks but this would not represent negotiations with the Government.

Negotiation
IMO GP committee chairman Dr Ray Walley said: "We remain to be persuaded that there will be a basis for negotiations but the committee has indicated that it is prepared to explore the issue further with the other side."

“We have indicated to the Minister that we will engage in a dialogue to explore whether there is a basis on which proper and full negotiations between the IMO on behalf of GPs across the country and the Department of Health can take place in respect of a new GP contract.”