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:

More from Local News

Athy Locals Praised After Elderly Dog Saved Following Dramatic Canal Lock Ordeal

The terrier battled the current for close to half an hour before getting near enough to the bank for a man - who had been walking nearby with his girlfriend - to grab a life belt and pull him out.
€4.4m Cannabis Seizure Sparks Arrests Across Kildare And Dublin

Four men have been arrested.
Survivors’ Stories And Counselling Gave Kildare Woman Maeve Leahy Strength To Speak Out About Abuse

Audio

Thomas Howard, the 79-year-old former GAA referee from Old Kilcullen, was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison at Tullamore Circuit Court.
€34.5m Boost Backs Quest To Study Memory Loss And Build 3-D Biodegradable Spinal Supports

Other funded work includes discovering new yeast species in Irish ecosystems, and studying how early-life memories are lost and how this process differs in autism and between sexes, to potentially "reverse" memory loss.
Newbridge Library To Relocate Next Month Ahead Of 2026 Rebuild

Because the project will take place on the existing library site, Newbridge Community Library will temporarily close on Thursday 11 December at 8pm to allow for its relocation to Liffey Lodge, which will serve as its temporary home during the build.
13 New Gardaí For Kildare - But No Increase For Part-Time Maynooth Station

Audio

Maynooth, which is similar in size to Leixlip, still operates only a part-time Garda station and no new Gardai have been allocated to the station under the latest deployment.
Kildare’s Rain Warning Brought Forward To 9am As Remnants Of Storm Claudia Approach Ireland

A Status Orange alert for heavy rain in Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow will be in effect from 12 noon today until 8am tomorrow.
Christmas Gift Caution As E-Scooters Leading Cause Of Child Brain Injuries

Parents are being advised not to buy them for children.