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Minister Róisín Shortall welcomes first phase in extension of free GP care to all in the HSE National Service Plan 2012
Róisín Shortall, TD, Minister of State for Primary Care at the Department of Health today (Monday, 16 January, 2012) welcomed the provision in the HSE National Service Plan 2012 for the extension of free GP care to Long Term Illness claimants, the first phase in the Government’s programme to extend universal free access to GP care.
The Minister said: "I welcome the provision in the Plan for GP Visit Cards to be issued to Long Term Illness claimants once the necessary legislation has been enacted and for the commencement of the roll-out of a national chronic disease management programme for diabetes during 2012."
Preparations will also be progressed for the roll out of similar initiatives for other chronic diseases including stroke, asthma and heart failure.
The Plan provides for an additional 105,000 medical cards in 2012. Funds have also been prioritised for the HPV vaccine programme and the catch up measles vaccination campaign.