Under 8 GP Care Scheme at Meadow Springs Medical

In Ireland, all children under eight are entitled to free care at their GP, and Centric Health welcomes the children of our patients on this free-of-charge scheme.

***PLEASE NOTE – YOU MUST REGISTER YOUR UNDER 8 CHILD AND HAVE A VALID CARD ISSUED BY THE HSE TO AVAIL OF THIS FREE SERVICE, OTHERWISE PRIVATE FEE’S APPLY.***

Register Online with the HSE here.

Our practices participate in the free Under 8 GP care scheme, and welcome the children of existing patients under this government programme. However, while all children are entitled to free GP care, it can only be availed of by those who have registered with the HSE and signed up with their practice.  Please note that the scheme applies until 8 years of age (0-7). 

How do I access the Under 8 GP system? 

Medical Card holders: If your child or children have a Medical Card or GP Visit Card they will automatically be registered. When your child needs to see a GP, simply call our surgery as normal to make an appointment. Non-Medical Card holders: If your child does not have a Medical Card or GP Visit Card, you must register them. Click here and follow the steps on the HSE website. You will need the PPS number of the child or children you wish to register, and also your own PPS number as parent or guardian. Select your current GP and practice from the list.

***PLEASE NOTE – YOU MUST REGISTER YOUR UNDER 8 CHILD AND HAVE A VALID CARD ISSUED BY THE HSE TO AVAIL OF THIS FREE SERVICE, OTHERWISE PRIVATE FEE’S APPLY.***

Register Online with the HSE here.

And then what?

You will be notified by the HSE when you are registered for the scheme, hopefully within three or four days. When you log in to register your child with us you will see a list of our doctors. You may not see the name of your usual doctor, so just select one of the other principal doctors. We assure you that afterwards you and your child can still make an appointment with and continue to be cared for by your usual GP.
 
What is covered by the Under 8 GP scheme?

Put simply, all the normal acute medical care needs of your child under eight are covered, free of charge.
In addition, at the age of two and five, your child is entitled to a periodic assessment, which simply involves the measurement of your child's weight and height.  Asthma assessments are provided too, entailing a special review three months after a new diagnosis, and also an annual review.
Influenza vaccination is also highly recommended, in September and early October each year.

Children who have an under 6s card

You do not need to register for a new GP visit card if your child
-  is under 6 and has a GP visit card
-  was under 6 on 1 July 2023
Their old card will automatically be extended. They will have free GP care until they are 8. 

What is not covered by the under 8 GP scheme?

While the Under 8 GP scheme covers most routine needs of your child, it doesn't stretch to a range of non-medical tasks that are often carried out by our practice.  While these can still be facilitated, they will incur a fee.

Items not covered, as suggested by the HSE, include:

-   travel vaccinations
-   paediatric phlebotomy
-   passport / identity reports / letters
-   créche reports
-   utilities reports / letters
-   insurance medicals / reports
-   school attendance notes / certificates
-   sports medicals / reports
-   letters in support of applications for services under the Social Welfare Acts (housing, clothing etc).

Please sign your under 8 children up for the GP visit card today so that you have it when you need it.  We cannot provide GP care free of charge if you have not registered your under 8 child with the HSE.