Poll: Does it make sense to charge a nominal fee for 'free' GP care for the under-12s?

The Sunday Independent this morning reports that parents could be charged a fee of €5 per visit for such care.

THIS MORNING, THE Sunday Independent reports that the government is considering charging a ‘nominal’ fee of €5 per visit for free GP care for the under-12s in an attempt to appease doctors.

Such care has been promised for some time (it has been free for children aged six and under since June 2015), however a move to charge a small fee, or cap the number of visits available to parents on a yearly basis, is reportedly on the table in order to mollify medical professionals who say free care is clogging their surgeries with children who are not actually sick.

But do you think this makes sense? Or should ‘free’ care be entirely free of charge?

We’re asking: Does it make sense to charge a nominal fee for ‘free’ GP care for the under-12s?

Poll Results:

Yes, it makes sense (7289)

No, it should be entirely free (2496)

I'm not sure (347)

Yes, it makes sense
No, it should be entirely free
I'm not sure

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Poll: Does it make sense to charge a nominal fee for 'free' GP care for the under-12s?

Poll Results:

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

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