Jul 31, 2015:

Active Retirement Ireland Welcomes Free GP Care as "A step in the right direction"

Minister for Health Leo Varadkar and Minister for Primary Care Kathleen Lynch have today announced the start of registration for the Free GP Care service for people aged 70 and over, which will commence on August 5th. This second phase of universal GP care extends a GP service without charges to everyone aged 70 years and older.

This new measure applies to those aged 70 and over who do not currently hold a medical or GP visit card.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Varadkar said: “This is the next step to universal healthcare. From August 5th, all 400,000 people aged 70 and over will be able to see their GP without paying fees. It’s an important step because, for the first time, the eldest and youngest in our society will be able to access GP care without being charged.”
Minister Lynch added “This Government is committed to strengthening and further developing primary care services. As we continue to expand free GP care to those under 18 years of age, we will also provide more services in primary care. We will focus on early intervention, providing services such as minor surgery and managing chronic illnesses such as diabetes and asthma in primary care. As the number of primary care teams and centres continue to increase, so too will the range of services being provided.”

Mr John Hennessy, HSE National Director of Primary Care explained; “ A simple online registration system is available from Friday July 31st on www.gpvisitcard.ie. Registration of a person aged 70 or older just requires the person’s name, PPS number, gender, date of birth, contact details and the selection of a GP of choice.  Alternatively people can download a form from the website www.gpvisitcard.ie, or locall 1890 252 919 to receive a copy by post. The registration form will also be available in pharmacies and local health offices”.

Speaking today, Peter Kavanagh of Active Retirement Ireland said, "We welcome the introduction of free GP care for the over 70s as a step in the right direction towards universal healthcare. We all want to see healthcare for all, and the more people covered the better. We have to bear in mind, however, that is a long way short of free healthcare for over 70s, as it's not a restoration of the medical card. Older people, who are usually on a limited and fixed income, will still have to pay up to €144 for medicines each month."

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