The head of the National Association of GP Dr Yvonne Williams has claimed that the Government has put severe pressure on many GPs to sign up to the free medical care for the under-sixes.
The news comes after the High Court dismissed an injunction from the association challenging the new scheme. Ms Williams made her comments whilst speaking on RTÉ’s Today programme with Sean O’Rourke. Dr Williams told O’Rourke once the number of doctors passed the threshold of 50 to 60%, chances of winning an injunction were significantly reduced and they felt the NAGP’s best strategy was to limit their costs and to help GPs with the other challenges that they face in the future.
Ms Williams said that she still believes that the new scheme is “unfair” and says the healthy are going to benefit at the expense of the sick. Ms Williams said: “It goes against the very core ethics of healthcare”. She added that the scheme has not been stress tested to see if general practice can cope. “We are the only part of the healthcare sector where there were no waiting lists. It is unfortunate that is going to change.”