THE ICGP, representing family doctors in the Republic, has called on the Government to ban all forms of alcohol advertising and unanimously backed a motion from the Merrion, Dublin faculty calling for a ban.
It referred a proposed amendment asking the college to review use and availability of alcohol at its own meetings to the organisation’s executive for consideration.
Prof Tom O’Dowd, professor of primary care and general practice at Trinity College Dublin, called on the ICGP to show leadership on the issue.
“It is not enough for the college to adopt the high moral ground. This is an opportunity for the ICGP to take a leadership position on this issue,” he said.
In response to his suggestion that the ICGP exclude alcohol manufacturers from any investments it may hold, the meeting agreed to request that the executive formulate an action plan on the sponsorship and use of alcohol at meetings, and to circulate this plan to members for wider discussion.
Earlier, Dr Gertrude Ronan proposed a motion calling for a blanket Government ban on alcohol advertising. Noting ever more sophisticated alcohol advertising, she said: “Young people respond to (alcohol) advertising at an emotional level.”
Meanwhile, a debate on a new five-year strategic plan for the ICGP heard calls for it to prioritise an initiative to involve patients and advocacy groups in ICGP activities.
Patient advocacy groups will be invited to contribute to ICGP policy through membership of college working groups.
ICGP chairman Dr Mark Walsh labelled the current contract governing the service which family doctors offer medical card patients as “outdated”.
“Any Minister (for Health) who continues to preside over such a contract should be known as the ‘Minister for Illness’, as this contract is orientated towards the management of minor episodic illness and very little else,” he said.
ICGP chief executive, Fionan O Cuinneagain, accused the Health Service Executive (HSE) of not understanding what general practice offers patients.
“Despite our best efforts, we have been able to formally meet with the HSE just twice in three years,” he said.