Wexford Call to Scrap €60 GP Charges for Patients Accessing State Supports

There are calls for the Government to abolish charges for medical forms that patients are required to have completed or certified by their GP when accessing State services and supports.

Independent Ireland Finance Spokesperson Cllr Michael Sheehan has made the call following reports from Wexford that seriously unwell patients have been charged €60 to have forms completed or stamped at their GP surgery.

Cllr Sheehan says it is unfair that people already dealing with serious illness and financial pressures should face an additional charge simply to provide medical documentation required to access supports.

He says if the State requires medical evidence from a patient, the cost of providing that evidence should not fall on the person who is sick.

Cllr Sheehan is calling for a clear national policy setting out when patients should and should not be charged for medical forms and certifications.

He says charges of €60 can represent a significant amount of money for someone who may already be unable to work or facing additional medical and household expenses.

Independent Ireland is now calling for all GP forms and medical certifications required to access State services, benefits or supports to be provided without charge.

Cllr Sheehan says the Government needs to remove what he describes as an unnecessary financial barrier for people who are already vulnerable.