Free GP care now extended to all children Under 12 – Fitzpatrick

Fine Gael TD for Louth, and Member of the Oireachtas Committee on Health, Peter Fitzpatrick, has said the further extension of free GP care to all children under 12 is great news for families in Louth.
“Budget 2016 means almost €900 million more for the health service in 2016, compared to Budget 2015.
“Among the positive measures announced today are:
·    Extension of GP care to children under 12 (subject to negotiations with IMO)
·    Funding for Maternity Strategy
·    Extra ambulance service staff and expansion of community first responder teams
·    Further investment in diagnostics in primary care
·    Expansion of Child Speech & Language Therapy within primary care

“It’s also welcome news that there will be no increase in hospital fees or prescription charges in 2016, and the threshold for the Drugs Payment Scheme, for medical cards and GP visit cards remains unchanged. This is a good budget for the health sector.
“The last few budgets have been hard, but they have made it possible for Ireland to exit the bailout, reduce our debts, and move into a real recovery. The top priority of this year’s budget is to keep that recovery going, while providing relief and better services for the Irish people.”