IMO slams lack of provision of medical cards

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) today expressed dismay at the Government for what it terms "denying 250,000 people basic health care".

A telephone survey conducted on behalf of the organisation, which represents over 5,000 General Practitioners, Consultants, Non Consultant Hospital Doctors and Public Health Doctors, found that 96 per cent of those questioned expressed the view that the Government should extend the Medical Card to cover all low income groups.

The survey was carried out by Lansdowne Market Research.

The IMOs GP representative, Dr James Reilly, said: "The Government's failure to take the opportunity to address the increasing number of people who are not eligible for a medical card is intolerable. At a time of unprecedented wealth the Government is continuing to ignore those in greatest need."

"The survey was spread across all social and age groups and the Government should take considerable note of this survey result."

According to the IMO, they have highlighted this for the past three years but "the Government have blatantly turned a blind eye".