Under-sevens GP cards
Deputy Fitzpatrick asked when free GP cards for under-sevens would be fully usable, noting some GPs would not accept them. The Minister said the Health Minister was working with GP representative bodies and would provide an update on the timeline.
Budget 2022 contained an announcement regarding free GP cards for the under-sevens. Some 80,000 children will be able to avail of the scheme. The problem for my constituents is that not all GPs are accepting these cards. People are being told that if GPs are not going to accept the card or are not taking on any more patients, they have to find other GPs who are doing so. Families are familiar with their own GPs. When can we expect these GP cards for the under-sevens? How will the parents of these children get GPs to accept the cards?
Comment on this
The Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, is very keen to advance the extension of free GP care for children aged six and over. He has had ongoing dialogue with the representative bodies of GPs to ensure that this can be implemented as quickly as possible. I will ask the Minister to revert to the Deputy with the specific update as to the timeline involved.