IMO President says majority support for ballot clearly indicates the urgent need for the cutbacks imposed under FEMPI to be restored to allow General Practice to be viable

GPs around the country can deliver a greater scope of services to patients within the community when appropriately resourced to do so

While much has been achieved there is now a need for Government to show an ongoing commitment to supporting the development of services to patients in the community and in nursing homes.

Wednesday, May 22^nd, 2019.  The President of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has welcomed GPs’ majority support for the IMO’s €210 million deal with the Government but has cautioned that this must be viewed in the context of a first step towards the development of a fully resourced GP service.

Dr. Padraig McGarry said that the results of the ballot of IMO members, which was announced today (Wednesday), showed that 95% of GP members of the IMO across the country supported the IMOGPDeal which encompasses a full reversal of the FEMPI cuts as well as additional funds to introduce the management of Chronic Disease for GMS patients in General Practice. 

 “This is a crucial first step for GPs and their patients in terms of delivering on the potential of General Practice.  Our fight for greater investment in General Practice and the further development of services continues and we hope that Government now recognise the enormous value of General Practice and will support new investment into the future. General Practice was decimated during the years of austerity and this agreement is not a pay increase but a restoration of that funding”.

Dr. McGarry stressed that issues remained to be negotiated with the Government, including its aim of providing free GP care for children up to the age of 12 by 2022 and also added that there are very significant negotiations required in relation to appropriate services to patients in nursing homes, “It is clear that we have only scratched the surface when it comes to supporting GPs and encouraging our younger GPs to stay and establish in Ireland so while we welcome this important first step we must ensure that Government continues to support and develop a viable GP service which is proven to be better for patients and value for money for the tax payer.”

The IMO GP Deal has secured €210 million in increased funding for GPs over the coming years. Of this total, €120 million represents the reversal of the controversial Fempi cuts of 2015 (plus €10 million in pension contributions). A further €80 million has been secured for the management of GMS patients with chronic disease in the community.