Lack of awareness an issue in poor take-up of visit card – GPs

Lack of information around entitlement to the GP visit card is a factor in poor take-up, according to GPs.

Almost 400,000 people, who are believed to meet the criteria, have failed to avail of the offer. A renewed public information campaign is currently underway.

Several GPs who spoke to the Medical Independent (MI) cited a lack of information among the public regarding eligibility. 

However, when GPs make patients aware of their entitlement, many still do not apply, according to Dublin GP Dr Ray Walley.

“I have people who delay coming to the doctor and I know they would fit into the bracket. I tell them they are eligible. I give them advice and the link to apply and they still don’t apply. I don’t know whether or not the paperwork involved is complicated or extreme,” Dr Walley said.

“I think the problem with modern life is everyone is extended, everyone is flat-out, and people only see the relevance of it when they are sick.”

Another Dublin GP, Dr William Behan, believes any administrative barrier, such as a means test, will negatively impact uptake.

Dr Behan told MI that “universal entitlement based on age group might not be the most equitable, but it should generate the highest uptake”.

Kerry GP Dr Eamonn Shanahan said the low uptake has taken GPs by surprise.  “The problem is for patients to get the GP visit card, it’s not automatic. They have to make a statement of means and people are reluctant to do that,” he said.