Wednesday 26th February 2014. Members of the IMO National GP Committee today briefed 105 TDs and Senators from all parties on the IMO’s opposition to the proposed contract put forward by the Minister for Primary Care, Alex White TD, to govern the provision of Free GP Visits for Children Under the age of six. The IMO organised a mass briefing for all parliamentarians which took place through the day.

Key messages which were given to the parliamentarians were -

• The IMO supports GPs Care which is free at the point of access for all patients but this can only be delivered with Proper Planning, Adequate Resources and Real Negotiations

• The IMO is a Trade Union with a negotiating licence and entitled to fully represent GPs in negotiations

• The Draft Contract proposed by Government is unworkable in its entirety, it is bad news for patients, bad news for clinical independence and patient safety and bad news for the future of General Practice.

Speaking today Dr. Ray Walley (Chairman of the GP Committee of the IMO) said that many of the TDs and Senators met by the IMO recognised the pressures facing General Practice and were prepared to listen to the many problems for both patients and GPs around the Government Proposals on a Draft Contract. Now we must see the Government act and commence real negotiations with the IMO. He continued “I think there is disappointment and surprise at the refusal of the Government to negotiate on this contract with the IMO given that every such contract to date has been based on comprehensive negotiations with the IMO which has always delivered quality patient care and value for money for the State.”

Ends
 

Click here for the Gallery - Meeting with TD's and Senators - 26th February 2014