Increase in gps signing up for under six scheme

There has been a marked increase in the number of family doctors signed up for the the government’s free GP care for the under-sixes this week, with 74 per cent now registered.
On Tuesday of last week, less than half of GP’s in the county had signed up, but there has been a steady increase over the past week with 52 GP’s out of 70 now signed up.
However, fewer GPs in east Meath are signing up to give free visits to children under six than in other parts of the county and Deputy Dominic Hannigan wants to know why.
“There is huge concern among parents in places such as Duleek, Stamullen, south Drogheda and Balbriggan about the lack of take up by GPs in their area.
“Overall 74 per cent of GPs in Meath have signed up for the under sixes scheme but for some reason in the east of the county the take up is significantly lower.
“Parents in these areas are understandably dissatisfied and for the sake of the children this situation needs to be resolved.
“So I have asked Health Minister Leo Varadkar if he knows why the response from GPs in east Meath is so poor and if there is anything that can be done to encourage them to sign up.
“Free GP care for the under sixes is part of the Government’s universal healthcare plan.
“The next stage along the road of ending our two-tier health system will be the provision of free GP visits to all under 18. “The vast majority of Meath GPs have now signed up to the under sixes scheme and I hope that those who have yet to do so, will soon follow their lead,” said Deputy Hannigan.
Senator Thomas Byrne said it was possible and likely that more GPs from the area would sign up and it was also the case that many from these areas get GP care in Navan and Drogheda, but it was still concerning and confusing to parents. Navan GP, Dr Niall Maguire, said he suspected that doctors would eventually sign up, but they were doubtful about the scheme. “General practice is in the middle of a crisis with cutbacks making things nearly impossible as it is,” he said.
He personally believed the government should relax the income limits for medical cards rather than introduce this scheme.
“Once a child reaches his or her sixth birthday, no matter how sick they are, they will lose this card and have to apply for a discretionary medical card,” he pointed out.
Deputy Helen McEntee said  “Free GP care was a key Fine Gael election commitment and it will result in real savings for pensioners and for families. It is important that we change the health system from one that only treats sick people to one that keeps people well; providing free access to GP care will make a significant difference in achieving this goal,” she said.