10 September 2004

Members of both the Irish Medical Organisation Primary Care Development Group and the Irish College of General Practitioners today repeated their demand that the Government honour its commitment to deliver the promised 200,000 additional medical cards as a first step to meeting the health needs of those families who can't afford basic primary care.

Following a meeting of both organizations to review developments in the health services, in particular primary care, IMO President, Dr. James Reilly said; "Unless medical card eligibility criteria are reviewed to take account of rising incomes and costs of medical care, the level of hardship for those at the lower end of the income threshold will increase as illnesses go under diagnosed and under treated."

With reference to the development of General Practice services, Dr. Eamon Shanahan, Chairman of ICGP said; "The independence of general practice is essential if the high standard of care currently provided is to be maintained. General practitioners should be encouraged to own, and take responsibility for the services developed and provided by their practices". 

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For further information contact:
Maria Murphy at 01 6767 273 or 086 2514 057