The IMO has called on the Government to undertake a fundamental review of proposals to extend GP visit cards to all children under the age of six regardless of medical condition.

The doctors' union said free GP care should be given to all children who are sick, rather than giving it to all children on the basis of age.

This follows Primary Care Minister Alex White admitting yesterday that the introduction of the under sixes scheme had been deferred until the autumn.

"There is a risk that the Government is rushing to make a decision rather than making sure they made the correct decision, " said IMO GP Chairman Dr Ray Walley.

"We call on the Governmentto reassess the issue and to give priority to children who are sick rather than on the basis of their age. This week the Government acknowledged that discretionary medical cards should be decided on the basis of health issues, not means. The same approach should inform the extension of GP visit cards."