Dr. Diarmuid Quinlan:

We know from robust research that when the GP cards for children aged under 6 were introduced it increased attendance of that cohort of patients by 30%. We know a similar uplift will happen in the demand for consultations for children aged between six and nine. We have quantified this at a minimum of 640,000 additional consultations a year, which will require 120 whole-time equivalent GPs. This is the demand it will place on the system.