Free GP Care Expansion 'HR Headache', Says Kildare Doctor

Monday, 11 September 2023 16:36

By Caoimhe Harney

It is part of a government drive to bring up to 500,000 more people into the service this year

The extension of free GP cards to an additional 215,000 people is “HR headache”, according to one medic working in the sector.

From Monday, people aged between eight and 69 can apply on the Health Service Executive (HSE) website for a means-tested GP visit card. It is part of a government drive to bring up to 500,000 more people into the service this year.

Under the change now in force, the weekly base eligibility threshold for a single person living alone increases to €361 from €304.

The threshold for a single person living with a family rises to €322 from €271 and the threshold for a couple with or without dependents rises to €524 from €441.

Announcing the change, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said the Government was making “significant steps forward in making healthcare affordable for all”.

Speaking on Monday's Kildare Focus, Newbridge GP Dr.Brendan O' Shea, listen back to the interview here:

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