Most GPs have major concerns about providing free care to children under the age of six, despite having signed up for the scheme, a new survey suggests.

Since July 1, all children in the State under the age of six years have been eligible for free GP care. The scheme applies to around 276,000 children aged five and under who do not have medical cards.

The controversial scheme has not been welcomed by all, with some GPs refusing to offer the service. They are insisting that without the provision of adequate resources to GPs, young patients may have to wait longer to be seen.

Some have also questioned the decision to provide free care to healthy children under the age of six whose parents may be financially stable, when some children over the age of six with life-threatening illnesses are being refused medical cards because their parents are just above the medical card income threshold.

However, according to the Department of Health, almost nine in 10 of GPs have agreed to take part.

This latest survey is based on responses from 23 GP clinics nationwide and almost 30 families. Among these GPs, 78% had signed up for the scheme, however 91% thought it was a bad idea.

Concerns included additional stress and increased workloads, and many GPs felt that the under-six population is not the group that needs free care the most.

Some 87% of GPs also felt that the amount they are being offered to provide care to children under the age of six is not enough. They are to receive a capitation fee of €125 per child, per year, although this figure may rise when additional support fees are included.

Meanwhile, the survey of families revealed that parents bring their children to their GP an average of 3.5 times per year. Based on an average cost per GP consultation of €50, this suggests that parents will save an average of €175 per year.

"Our poll indicates that while there are indeed families who find themselves frequently visiting the doctor, there are also families who very rarely need a GP. The majority of families polled visited their GP between two and five times per year per child, with an average of 3.5 visits per year.

"Of course, this doesn't take into consideration the times of year when illnesses peak, such as starting crèche, back to school, winter bugs, nor does it allow for the times children have recurring ear and throat issues. How these peak times are managed by GPs remains to be seen," commented Emily Ross, director of WhatClinic.com, which carried out the survey.