Health fees cut by up to 8%

The Department of Health and Children (DOHC) is to reduce fees paid to health service professionals by up to 8%.

GPs, dentists, optometrists, ophthalmologists and dispensing opticians who hold contracts with the HSE – as well as doctors who work under the national cervical screening programme, and psychiatrists who carry out work for mental health tribunals – will all be affected by the cuts.

The government will be reducing fees and allowances paid to GPs through GP visit card holders, the mother and infant care scheme and the primary childhood immunisation scheme.

The special capitation payment for medical card holders who are aged 70 and over, and being cared for in private nursing homes, has also been cut by 8%. This means the annual fee paid to GPs will be reduced from €974 per annum to €899.

The reductions are expected to save the government about €38 million a year.