It’s been announced that the Irish Medical Organisation has reached an agreement with the Government to offer free GP care to children under six years of age.
The IMO says that the Government will increase its investment to €67 million, which means capitation fees for children under six will be €125, rather than the €68.65 currently received. There will also be additional payments and supports that will bring the price per patient up to €216, per child under six.
As well as including extra fees for children who are asthmatic, the deal will provide a height and weight check for children when they are two and five years old.
This is great news for families, however, the IMO has said that it will be up to individual GPs as to whether they accept the terms offered in the contract. Let’s hope they do.
The agreement comes after the National Association of General Practitioners called on its members not to sign up to the deal, earlier this year.
