Workers Party Representative Fiona McCarthy has welcomed the announcement from the Health Minister that he would not agree to a hybrid General Practitioners Model.
Ms McCarthy said this debate is not a new one as there have been GPs over the past number of years who have been keen to adopt the same healthcare system as the Republic of Ireland where you pay to see your general practitioner. Some have even claimed the Republic has a better healthcare system and staff are paid more and have less work. She added these facts are not universally accepted given that the majority of political parties in the Republic have major complaints about the system there, as do patients. Some GPs seem to have forgotten that their patients have already paid .
Ms McCarthy added patients in Northern Ireland have paid for their healthcare through their National Insurance Contributions and income taxes. It is a major disappointment that some doctors are considering these approaches, given the cost of living crisis, and that most working class people are already struggling to make ends meet.
GPs are aware of the areas of poverty, multiple deprivations, health inequalities, and the low wage economy, and how all these factors can lead to premature deaths. To introduce a two-tier system would be another “slap in the face for those in need of healthcare” The Workers Party notes that the Minister has said he cannot stop GPs going private as they are independent contractors, it is the Party view that all GPs should be employed directly by the health service. This could solve some of the contract issues, and is one that would be widely supported, at least by the majority of patients.
Ms McCarthy finished by saying while we understand that not all GPs want a two-tier system this continued push by some is causing considerable anxiety and stress for patients who rely on the NHS.