The Government will be called upon to reopen hospital wards, address the needs of mental health services and raise the price of cigarettes by €2 when the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) meets today.
Other motions to be addressed on the opening day of the organisation's annual general meeting, which runs until Sunday, in Killarney this afternoon include care for the elderly and environmental issues.
Dr David O'Gorman is expected call for a direct-admissions policy to be installed to allow GPs access to medical and surgical care and an investigation into the "blocking" of acute hospital beds even after GPs have passed patients fit for discharge.
The call comes as the Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin, visits Nenagh General Hospital to outline the implications of the Hanly Report, which recommends the hospital be downgraded to "local" status, despite claims by staff that it recently treated 101 patients with only 66 beds.
On the issue of mental health services, Dr Siobhan Barry and Dr Ronan Heane will call for the full implementation of provisions laid out in the Mental Health Act, 2001.
Mr Martin, will be urged to push for the price of cigarettes to be raised by €2 in the next Budget and to address the consequences of alcohol promotion with the aid of money gained from the excise on alcohol.
The IMO will also call for random drink- and drug-testing for drivers and the abolition of alcohol advertising in cinemas where a film, other than one with an 18 certificate, is being shown.
The Government will also be urged to permit the ratification of the Stockholm Treaty, in relation to environmental contamination by Persisting Organic Pollutants, during the its EU presidency
