This article is from page 10 of the 2013-10-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
AS MANY as 5,770 children from Clare are to benefit from a free GP service next year according to the Minister for Finance, but local doctors said that as yet no one has spoken to them.
At the Budget 2014 forum, supported by Citizen Information Services and Alliance of Social Protection of Recipients, participants welcomed the initiative but with an element of caution.
Those speaking on behalf people with disabilities and people reliant on social welfare maintained that means testing should be introduced with the under five free GP service.
However Clare members of the National College of General Practitioners said that no direct contact has been made with GPs.
Doctors have said the free GP care scheme for five year olds and under, as proposed by the Government, will not be a “high-end” service because it will not be properly funded.
The GP organisation also warned yesterday (Monday) that some GPs might not sign-up to the plan.
Meanwhile Government representatives are adamant that the initiative, which has had a very mixed reaction, will go ahead.
Labour TD Michael McNamara said, “This is a historic and significant initiative which means that local families with children aged five and under no longer have to give a second’s thought about visiting the doctor when their child gets sick.
“There is clear evidence that people delay or avoid visiting their GP where a fee is required. Removing this cost barrier will mean that local families will be far more likely to address medical problems at an earlier stage, leading to better outcomes and treatment that is of less cost to the State.”