Lack of consultation grinds GPs gears

Lack of consultation grinds GPs gears Dr Andrew Jordan

Members of Ireland’s largest association of GPs said they were “outraged” by the lack of engagement from the Minister for Health in relation to proposed abortion legislation, which would make it a GP led service.

“The NAGP (National Association of General Practitioners) strongly objects to the assumption that this will be a GP led service. Its members are outraged that there has been no consultation,” the association of 2,000 GPs said in a statement.

Representative Dr Andrew Jordan said on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that some GPs were concerned whether conscientious objection would feature in legislation.

However, (NAGP) were told by Minister Simon Harris that there would be grounds for conscientious objection in any abortion legislation, which would potentially allow GPs to decide whether to provide terminations at their practices.

Dr Jordan added that the NAGP do not want to influence the result of the referendum in any way, and that he could not speak for the organisation in relation to their stance on the issue.