The Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), the professional and training body for Irish GPs, has predicted that the failure to provide resources for a new GP contract in Budget 2018 will have a detrimental impact on those on lower incomes, and increase pressure on the acute hospital sector.
The College has welcomed the small reduction in prescription charges, and the use of progressive taxation on tobacco and alcohol.
"GPs are acutely concerned at an absence of substantial provision for a new Contract for general practice in the Budget, or specific reference to reversal of FEMPI cuts, which reduced practice income by over 30% in many areas," said Dr Mark Murphy, Chair of Communications with the ICGP.
"Much has been done to ameliorate cuts to public sector wages and staffing as the Irish economy works its way out of recession, but GPs and their practice teams operate in the private independent contractor sector, and have had absolutely no reversals of cuts", Dr Murphy added.
"A national manpower crisis looms, and to attract more doctors to become GPs, the Government must offer greater financial security and a new contract with flexible conditions and an expanded role in managing chronic diseases," Dr Murphy said.
Aileen O'Meara, Communications Consultant, ICGP
Tel. 01 5175311/ 087 2239830, Email: media@icgp.ie
Dr Mark Murphy is available for interview.
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