Reaction: There was a broad welcome from doctors and nurses yesterday for plans to increase medical card eligibility. Eithne Donnellan reports.
However, the Irish Nurses' Organisation said it would need to undertake further analysis of the implications arising from what it termed the introduction of "a two-tiered medical card system" before commenting further. This refers to a new type of medical card which covers doctor-only visits.
The Irish Medical Organisation, which represents GPs, said the new type of medical cards announced by the Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Ms Harney, were "not ideal" but it would at least allow more individuals and families on low incomes to get free access to their family doctor and not postpone medical help until their illness reached a critical point.
Dr James Reilly, president of the IMO, said people would have to wait and see how the new card worked.
Overall he broadly welcomed the provisions announced. "It shows a shift in policy and an indication of an increased sensitivity on the part of the Government to the needs of those at the margins of our society," he said.
He said he had no difficulty with private funding for GP premises as long as GPs remained independent and in control of their own practices.
The Irish Hospital Consultants' Association was not as happy, however. Assistant general secretary Mr Donal Duffy said that at a time when extra hospital beds and more primary health care facilities were urgently needed, it was extremely disappointing that the health Estimate for 2005 showed a reduction of nearly €40 million in the capital allocation for building, equipping and furnishing hospitals and other health facilities - down from €441 million to €402 million.
"Hopefully, this is an area which will be further addressed on Budget day," he said.
Ms Harney indicated yesterday that the capital programme would be announced on Budget day. She also said some funding for infrastructure could come from the private sector.
Mr Duffy did, however, welcome the extra €20 million for the National Treatment Purchase Fund. This would, he said, represent a direct boost to patient care.
"Another element of the health Estimate which is a matter of concern is the reduction in the allocation to the State Claims Agency in respect of clinical negligence cases from €12 million to €7 million. This is simply postponing the inevitable as the State Claims Agency will have to pay out for these cases as they are settled," he said.