Welcome for high registration of gps for free under six care
THE Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, has welcomed the high registration of GPs in Mayo for free under six care.
Data released this week by the Department of Health shows that 88% of GPs in Mayo have registered for the scheme. The strong registration figures for GPs are mirrored by very high registration of children for the scheme too. The Department of Health has received 1,911 contracts from GPs, which represents 79% of GPs.
Said Minister Ring: “Free under six GP care which will be hugely beneficial for children and their families and is a vital step towards universal health care. I also welcome the very high registration of children for the scheme. Over 54,000 children have already been registered for free GP care, which begins on Wednesday (July 1). It is great to see that parents are registering their children for free GP care in such high numbers.”
The minister said that with the implementation of free GP care for children under six, the government is taking another important step on the road to universal healthcare following the recent agreement on free GP care for over 70s.
“These measures will help ensure good quality primary care for the youngest and oldest in our society,” Minister Ring added. “It is best, where possible, to identify and treat illnesses locally, either in your local doctor’s surgery or primary care centre. By improving primary care we aim to reduce the demand on our hospitals, which are under extreme pressure.
All children under six will benefit from the new, enhanced service, including age-based preventive checks focused on health and wellbeing and the prevention of disease. For children diagnosed with asthma, doctors will carry out an annual review of each child where asthma has been diagnosed.”
Meanwhile, the HSE is encouraging parents to register children for the scheme on www.gpvisitcard.ie. Parents or guardians will still be able to register children for this new service after the commencement date, but the HSE is encouraging them to register as soon as they can to ensure they have easy access to the service when they need it. Registration requires each child’s PPS number, gender and date of birth, a parent’s or guardian’s PPS number and contact details, and the selection of a GP of choice. If their GP of choice is accepting online registrations they simply submit their completed application online and await GP acceptance. If their GP of choice is not accepting online registrations, they complete the form online, print it and bring it to their GP of choice for acceptance and return it to us by post. If any parent or guardian needs help or guidance they should contact our LoCall helpline 1890 252 919 for assistance.
As well as free GP care at the point of service, children under six will also benefit from age-based assessments focused on health and wellbeing, identifying obesity and other problems early, and the prevention of disease. The assessments will support the HSE in its efforts to prevent obesity in children and will be carried out once when a child is aged two and again at age five, in accordance with an agreed protocol.