Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this Bill. In the programme for Government we committed to introducing a universal GP service for everyone. In line with the statement of Government priorities 2014-16, we prioritised the over 70s in providing free access to GP care. The Government decided to commence the roll-out of universal GP care services for the entire population by providing for all children under six years of age and all persons aged 70 and over. In real terms, this means that more than 36,000 people aged 70 years and over who currently must pay to see their GP will no longer have to pay such fees which can range from €40 to €70 for a single visit. Many constituents from Dundalk, Drogheda, Ardee, Dunleer and Carlingford visited my constituency office to outline the fact that they were encountering severe financial hardship in paying for doctor visits, despite the fact that they had incomes in excess of the limits imposed for the granting of a GP card. The Bill will be a great relief for them and will, once and for all, take away the financial worry of the costs involved in visiting a GP.

I wish to highlight the many improvements that have taken place in the health service in my constituency in the past two years. In 2015 the Government has increased the budget for health service for the first time since the financial crisis began. This has meant 198,000 home help hours in County Louth, representing an increase of 29% on the 2013 figure; two new primary care centres opening in Ardee and Carlingford, and 48% of the population, or just over 59,000 people, having full medical cards. More than 60 houses have benefited from the disability housing adaptation grants scheme at a cost of €723,000.

I am working closely with Louth County Hospital to raise awareness of the many excellent services available which will go a long way towards alleviating the overcrowding issue in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. They include general, surgical, gynaecological, dental and urological services. It should be noted that Louth County Hospital's minor injuries unit is open seven days per week and sees almost 30 patients daily, with an average turnaround time of less than one hour. The venesection service at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital transferred to Louth County Hospital in September 2010, involving the transfer of 300 patients with haemochromatosis. The number of venesection procedures has increased from 25 to an average of 65 weekly, representing a 160% increase.

While much is being done to improve the health service, I acknowledge that we have a great deal of work still to do in order to provide the world-class health service the people deserve. The are more than 400,000 people in Ireland aged 70 years and over. Of these, more than 36,000 must pay to access GP services. There is medical evidence to support the idea that those aged over 70 years have a greatly increased chance of contracting multiple chronic conditions. Therefore, there is a significant benefit to society in providing them with free access to core primary care in the form of GP services. It is widely accepted that a well developed system of primary care offers significant benefits for the health care system generally, which is welcome.

3 o’clock

Under the provisions of the Bill, people aged 70 years and over who currently have a medical or a GP card will continue to receive all medical card entitlements as normal.

When the first phases of free universal GP care are in place, namely, the provisions for the under sixes and the over 70s, we will have a situation where the most vulnerable in society will have access to care without facing a financial barrier. In effect, the Government is ensuring an additional 250,000 people will have unrestricted and free access to GP care. I strongly support the decision to roll out the next phase of free universal GP care to all over 70 years.

See this speech in context