The Board of the Irish College of General Practitioners Board has convened an extraordinary general meeting following concerns expressed by some members regarding the implementation of The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018 and related matters.
The College - which is the professional and training body for Irish General Practitioners - has consulted with its members on the provision of termination of pregnancy services by GPs:
The College's position has been clear from the beginning that it favours an opt-in service for GPs who wish to provide the service, with the provision of a 24-helpline that patients can access directly as an essential requirement. In other words, no GP who does not wish to provide a termination of pregnancy service should be required to do so. Both in the development of guidelines and in advocating for the necessary resources the College's primary concern is patient safety and quality of care.
The EGM of the College's members will be held on Sunday December 2nd, at 2pm at the Grand Hotel, Malahide, Co. Dublin.
The Board of Directors has called this EGM to consult further and listen to members, and to enable debate and provide an opportunity for the Board of Directors to explain the College's position.
There will be no formal motions at this meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to consult with members and enable debate.
The College received a request for the holding of an EGM on 31st October, but this was invalid as there were no actual signatures provided which is required procedurally. Recent media reports that over 600 College members had called for this EGM are incorrect. The original petition was accompanied by a list of names of which 373 were members of the College.
ISSUED BY: Aileen O'Meara, Communications Consultant, ICGP.
Tel. 01 2542984 / 087 2239830
Email: media@icgp.ie
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