The Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service without fees within its term of office, as set out in the Programme for Government and the Future Health strategy framework. As announced in the Budget, it has been decided to commence the roll-out of a universal GP service by providing all children aged 5 and under with access to a GP service without fees. This will mean that almost half of the population will have access to GP services without fees. The Government is providing new, additional funding of €37 million to meet the cost of this measure which will provide a GP service to approximately 240,000 children that must currently pay to see a GP.
The implementation of this new service requires primary legislation. In that respect, the Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2014 was published on 23 April 2014. The key features of this Bill are as follows:
- it provides an entitlement for all children aged under 6 to a GP service without fees;
- it removes the need for children aged under 6 to have a GMS medical card or GP visit card in order to qualify for a GP service;
- it provides that the HSE may enter a contract with GPs for the provision of this service to children; and
- it provides that the Minister may set the rates of fees payable to GPs for this service, though requiring that the Minister must follow a set process before doing so.
It is intended to introduce the Bill in the Oireachtas during May, with a view to enactment by July. Payments can only be made to GP's where the requisite legislation and contractual arrangements are in place. Therefore, payments related to the provision of the GP service without fees for children aged 5 and under cannot be backdated, prior to when the service is available, to the date on which the measure was announced.
