13th February, 2013

The Irish Medical Organisation has written to the Minister for Health calling on him to confirm that he will not make a decision on foot of the current FEMPI consultative process which is prejudiced by statements made by both Dr Reilly and Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr. Brendan Howlin TD, who stated that :-

“Professional fees for health service providers such as GPs and community pharmacists will be reduced to save €70m.”
The IMO has called on him to commence a new Consultation Process and confirm that the outcome of any new process will not be pre-determined in any way.

IMO GP Committee Chairman, Dr. Ray Walley said; “It is clear to the IMO based on information from IMO members that General Practice is at breaking point and the imposition of further cuts – on top of recent severe cuts in the level of financial support for GP services – threatens to destroy the fabric of the Irish General Practice”.

He said; “There is a concern that any further cuts will decimate the capacity of general practice and its ability to provide patient services, currently available locally.”

“Further cuts necessitate the introduction of waiting lists for GPs for the first time in Ireland and the unavailability of GP services in certain parts of the country. Indeed some of these effects are already being seen with increased attendance at GP out-of-hours services.”

“These cuts will inevitably reduce the capacity to provide chronic disease management and will set back the introduction of universal GP care for many years.”

“The IMO GP committee is concerned at the running down of the capacity of general practice in Ireland In the longer term. While the lack of availability of locums is an issue of current concern to GPs and their capacity to provide a service now, it points to a greater crisis where aspiring GPs are voting on Irish general practice with their feet. This does not bode well for the capacity to meet current patient demands let alone the other plans to manage chronic care or provide universal GP care free at the point of delivery,” said Dr. Walley.

For further information contact:
Maria Murphy,
Director of Communications &
Public Affairs, IMO
Tel: 01 6767 273