The IMO has expressed concern about the Government's plans to provide free GP care at the point of access to all children under five, placing some doubt over the implementation of the scheme.

IMO GP Chairman Dr Ray Walley said the Government had made no contact with the IMO on 'what would be a major change in the way GP services operate.'

He said there were no proposals on resourcing this service.

"This seems like another political statement with no rationale behind it. The Government seems to want credit for introducing this service without even discussing the matter with the very people who have to provide it,” said Dr Walley.
 
"This would be a major policy change and a fundamental change to the terms of the GMS (medical card scheme) and we find it extraordinary that the Minister for Health has not spoken to the IMO, as the representative body of GPs."
 
Dr Walley said the IMO was very concerned that patient expectations are being raised at a time when resources behind the existing service were stretched to capacity.

It is unclear whether negotiaitons will be held between the Government and the IMO in the near future on he extension of free GP care.

There could be legal difficulties over the holding of negotiations between the Government and the IMO on the introduction of a new treatment scheme.

The IMO is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with the Competition Authority over its right to negotiate on behalf of GPs, and a court hearing on the issue is unlikely to be held until early in the new year.

Health Minister James Reilly revealed last week that he is planning to extend eligibility to free GP care on an age-related basis, starting with younger children and extending to the entire population over the next two years.

It is envisaged that under the extension of free GP care, people who do not currently hold medical cards will be entitled to GP visit-only cards.

Doubts have beenexpressed over whether the Government can afford the costs of this new scheme.

Young kids to get free GP care