Changes to simplify free GP care may be needed

There may be changes to simplify access to free GP care, the Minister for Health has said.

Last August, free GP care was widened to include children aged six and seven.

Speaking at the Oireachtas Health Committee, Stephen Donnelly said the low uptake of the GP visit cards was “very disappointing” and “very surprising”.

“Particularly during a cost of living crisis,” he added.

The minister was responding to Sinn Féin’s Health Spokesperson David Cullinane who said in his view “it’s far too vague” on who qualifies.

“Instinctively I think it’s exactly what you said,” the minister replied. “I think it’s too complicated.”

“It might require some changes” to simplify it, Mr Donnelly added.

The minister also told the committee the number of patients waiting ten to 12 weeks for a hospital appointment has dropped by 11%.

Stephen Donnelly said that the figure exceeded the Sláintecare target of 10% and means 57,000 fewer waiting for hospital care in 2023 than there were in 2022.

“Since the pandemic peak there has been a 27% reduction in the number of people waiting over our agreed Sláintecare targets,” he said.

“That’s about 170,000 people.”

Mr Donnelly also said that the number of patients on trollies was down in the second half of last year by 20% compared to the previous year.

While he said the job is not done, Mr Donnelly added “we are moving quickly in the right direction”.

David Cullinane said that it is “a racing certainty” that a supplementary health budget will be needed.

Minister Donnelly rejected this and said, “I am not saying it’s a certainty”.

But a “significant supplementary” is “a material risk”, he added.

Mr Cullinane said: “We’ll see who’s right come September, October. That will then be a matter of record.”

“For me, Deputy, the red line is services,” Mr Donnelly replied and vowed not to cut them.

The minister said: “The reason I am saying it’s uncertain, nobody knows what’s going to happen this year in relation to inflation and demand.”

Stephen Donnelly also told the committee that 1,700 hospital consultants have signed up to the new contract.

He said that is up from 1,500 two weeks ago.

“There’s a lot of appetite early this year which is great to see,” Mr Donnelly added.