In an escalation of the public health doctors' strike, the Irish Medical Organisation will allow GPs to withdraw voluntary services offered to health boards.
In a letter sent out to 2,000 IMO doctors on Thursday, chief executive Mr George McNeice and GP committee chairman, Dr James Reilly, advised on issues which will affect GPs joining the strike.
Signalling support for the public health doctors, the GP committee has left "it up to the discretion of members who decide to withdraw from any other non-contractual services".
"The view was apparent among GPs that they needed to make clear their support," said IMO industrial relations officer, Mr Fintan Hourihan.
"The non-contractual services are work GPs are regularly asked to do," he said. "We would ask them to reconsider this."
Non-contractual services offered by GPs include administering boosters, examinations, and developmental check-ups of infants.
"A lot of GPs are very angry with the Department of Health and the Health Services Employers Agency," Dr Reilly said. "
There is absolute intransigence on the Minister's side. I would call for the Cabinet to rally round the Minister and help him resolve this issue."
Health board executives should be notified by GPs, who will insist on payment of their statutory fee. They are advised to stop supplying medical reports for allowances such as nursing home subventions, housing grants and domiciliary care allowances.
GPs have been asked to withdraw from work arising out of the shortage of public health doctors, and not to take up any work left undone as a result of the strike.
"Public health doctors have a lot of contact with GPs and they work closely together. They are most incensed about the manner in which the dispute is being handled," said Mr Hourihan.