IMO to boycott new medical card scheme
The body representing most Irish GPs has decided to boycott the introduction of new "doctor-only" medical cards due to concerns about how the move will affect their existing contracts.
Last November, Health Minister Mary Harney promised to introduce 200,000 new medical cards giving people on low incomes free access to GPs.
Legislation allowing for the move was enacted in recent weeks and the cards were due to be issued from next month.
However, the Irish Medical Organisation has now ordered its 2,000 GP members to boycott the scheme after receiving legal advice that it will mean a change to their current medical card contracts.
The IMO has said it will not co-operate with the scheme unless Tánaiste Harney sets up a consultation and negotiation process before it is implemented.
Dr Martin Daly of the organisation's GP committee said: "If it did require amending legislation in order to facilitate these cards, then it does require negotiation with the IMO and that is our unequivocal legal advice."
