GPs have said plans to expand the allocation of visit cards to an additional 430,000 people could make waiting times twice as long.
The government plans to provide a wider amount of people with free GP visits in today’s Budget. The cards give people access to free GP care, saving patients an average of €50 per visit.
GP Gary Stack spoke to RTE’s Morning Ireland about the changes, arguing that the move would result in delayed care for all patients. He also added that the increased amount of people accessing GP services would considerably lengthen the workload of doctors nationwide.
READ MORE: Budget 2023: Big winners as €10 billion giveaway package to be announced
He said: “It’s a political sop and there’s no medical benefit in doing this. It’s going to result in delayed care for all patients because visiting rates will be doubled, despite the fact these cards provide very little entitlement other than a free GP visit.”
He went on to add that GPs had not received a call this morning from their union or the Irish College of General Practitioners about the measure. He said there were simply not enough GPs nationwide available to cover the increased demand additional visitor cards would create.
Additionally, the measure could significantly increase the workload of a GP. Gary estimated that doctors could spent an additional three and half hours a week at their desks as a result of the demand for appointments.
The expansion will result in over half the population being entitled to hold either a free GP visit card or a full medical card, a first in the history of the State. A scheduled GP appointment ranges on average from anywhere between €45-60.
However, the card has no influence on secondary medical care, such as hospital appointments or consultations. Gary warned that the expansion could eventually result in delays witnessed in the UK, where it takes an average of two weeks to receive a GP appointment.
READ MORE
Social welfare changes in Budget 2023 to include double payments and pension increase
10 men arrested and two in hospital after assault at St Stephen's Green
Homeless activists arrested after gardai evict group from vacant city centre building
Parent of child fighting cancer calls for more financial supports for struggling families
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
