2,419 GPs have signed up to new agreement

Some 95 per cent of eligible GPs had signed up to the new agreement between the State and IMO as of late August, according to HSE figures.

On 4 July, the IMO announced the conclusion of negotiations with the Government and HSE on a package of measures to support extension of doctor visit cards. The agreement covers extension to children aged six and seven not currently in receipt of a card (approximately 78,000 individuals); and people earning up to the median income (approximately 430,000 individuals).

The total financial package amounts to approximately €130 million in a full year, including €30 million to support general practice capacity. The IMO described the deal is an “interim agreement that will act as a bridge to the development of a new model of general practice”.

“In agreement with the IMO and ongoing successful collaborative working with general practice, 95 per cent (2,419) of the total number of eligible GPs (2,551) have now signed up to the 2023 GP Agreement,” a HSE spokesperson told the Medical Independent.  

The extension of doctor visit cards to children aged six and seven commenced on 11 August. The extension on income grounds will be completed in two phases (11 September and 13 November).

As of 29 August, 22,807 registrations of children aged six and seven had been received by the HSE, which said the figure is growing daily.