GPs warn they will not agree to proposed extension of free care

GPs have warned that they will not agree to any Government plans to further extend the medical card scheme until a new contract with the State is agreed.

It is expected that in the Budget today Minister for Health Leo Varadkar will receive funding to extend the existing free GP care scheme to all children under 12.

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO)said it was currently in talks with the Department of Health aimed at drawing up a new contract for GPs operating State medical schemes.

It said it would examine the funding for the health service for 2016 to see how much additional money was being allocated to pay for a new contract with GPs.

The IMO backed the Government’s controversial plans earlier this year to introduce free GP care for all children under age 6 in the face of opposition from some doctors.

However, the IMO had previously argued that any further extension of this scheme should be based on income and chronic illness grounds rather than age.