Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Seán Power, to the House. He will remember that I raised this matter yesterday, initially on the Order of Business. Dr. Patricia Comer, a Dublin GP, will not be allowed to treat her 500 medical card patients when she turns 70 in August this year. There is no reason for this other than her age. That Dr. Comer can continue treating private patients after August this year compares starkly with the fact that she cannot treat public patients due to nothing other than ageism.

Almost all of Dr. Comer's 500 medical card patients are older people who have built up great relationships with Dr. Comer over the years. She has treated their children and grandchildren. Older people are understandably distressed at being forced to change doctors having been served so brilliantly by Dr. Comer for more than 40 years. I understand that the Irish Medical Organisation has insisted on an age limit of 70 years as a protection mechanism to ensure that younger doctors will have general medical services scheme jobs available for them. However, as insufficient newly-trained GPs are available to take up these positions, the protection policy should not continue to exist. Younger doctors are prone to cherry-pick work locations and some are only interested in working part-time when appointed.