A group of family doctors has taken an unusual step to allow them to directly negotiate on pay issues with the Department of Health.

The National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP) has joined forces with the Independent Workers Union (IWU), formed by Irish workers unhappy with the trade union movement and not affiliated to the ICTU (Irish Congress of Trade Unions).

A co-operative arrangement between the NAGP and the IWU will mean that this group of GPs will now be able to directly negotiate with Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, on pay and condition issues like the medical card scheme and the treatment of children under the age of six.

Until now the main negotiating body for GPs has been the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), which has in the past few years been shrouded in controversy over pension payments to its former chief executive.

In order to enter into direct talks with the Government, an organisation requires a minimum membership of 1,000 and a negotiating licence. THE NAGP has already applied to the Department of Jobs for an independent negotiating licence on the basis that it has the required membership, however the application process can take up to 18 months. But this new arrangement means that the doctors' group will have the licence immediately.

"This deal means that the NAGP can now take its place at the negotiating table to ensure that general practice is protected and recognised for its important role in healthcare delivery," commented NAGP CEO, Chris Goodey.