A Ballygar doctor is hoping that supports promised by the government will help ease the pressure on GP services.
Yesterday, the Department of Health announced plans to extend free GP care to all children aged 6 and 7, and households who earn below an average income.
It would allow almost 500,000 more people to access care free of charge.
Ballygar GP and former president of the Irish Medical Organisation, Dr Martin Daly, acknowledges the concerns of doctors regarding retention of staff and waiting lists.
Speaking on the Joe Finnegan show today, he believes the IMO have done their best to mitigate the effect of this government policy on GP surgeries
'The IMO has pointed out repeatedly that there are capacity issues and we have sought to mitigate the effect of that roll out with this deal.
I feel as an interim deal, I feel it is a good deal to recommend to GPs but it does not address the major capacity issues.
To be honest Joe, when we were looking at the issues around people not being able to get a GP, the places most affected with the commuter towns in the Midlands.
Athlone, Longford, Tullamore, Portlaoise, there is no doubt there is a problem there and there has been a lack of planning there.'
