Government plans for free GP care ‘not deliverable’

The Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) has said that the draft contract proposed by the Government to cover the planned introduction of free GP care for children under six years is not deliverable with available manpower and resources.

It also maintained that the Government’s proposals could “ destabilise current service delivery which is already working at full capacity”.

In a bulletin issued to members the ICGP, the academic body for general practitioners, said that the Government’s draft contract “ tries to cover all eventualities and absolve the HSE of any responsibility for service delivery”.

“If the Government is serious about putting primary care and general practice at the centre of the health service, it needs to show a commitment to doing so - this contract in its current format will not meet that aim.”

The ICGP said it would be compiling a feedback paper so that the views of its members could be put to the Minister of State Alex White as part of a consultation process.

The Government has sought submissions on the proposals by February 21st.

The Government has not yet set out the fees that would apply for doctors agreeing to take the new contract for the provision of free GP for children under six.

The ICGP is the latest medical organisation to react negatively to the Government’s proposals which were issued last Friday.