Sir, – The possible introduction of a fee to control the number of visits an individual makes to his or her GP whenever Government-subsidised access to GP services is achieved raises a number of issues. Age Action welcomes the intention to exclude the over-70s, as well as those already on medical and GP visit cards. The problem is that the road to hell is paved with good intentions and once the principle has been introduced and accepted nobody can guarantee that such noble exclusions and exemptions will stand. Nor can anyone predict how high this fee will creep before it becomes an obstacle to people accessing the GP services. Before such a fee is introduced we should try to think of alternatives. – Yours, etc,
GERARD SCULLY,
Age Action Ireland,
Camden Street,
Dublin 2