Labour plan for health: Free GP care for all

Fri, 12 Feb, 2016 - 13:24

Labour has launched their plan for health - saying they want a dedicated Cabinet Minister to look after Primary Care.

Tanaiste Joan Burton also called for free GP care for all - saying it is something that can be achieved in the lifetime of the next government.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar has previously said it is an unrealistic target.

It takes four years to train GPs, and we have a shortage of around 500.

However Junior Minister at the Department of Health Kathleen Lynch has said they have realistic targets to train enough people: “What people are forgetting is that this year, those people will be coming out of training as well.

“You know that didn’t stop, we have that amount of people coming out every year.

“We are not going to suddenly turn on the training this year and in four years time that they are coming out, they are coming out this year. They are coming out next year, they are coming out the year after.

“Our task is to encourage them to stay.”