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Under the decision, as of January 1, 2011 patients have to go to an outpatient facility to undergo procedures that could formerly be performed in general practitioners' (GPs') offices, writes LETA.

As the association's members stated, the change will make it more likely that patients will seek out private clinics and the length of outpatient care waiting lists will become longer.

They also pointed out that the decision represents a waste of taxpayer money producing estimated additional expenditures at 700,000 euros a year.

As example the Family Doctors' Association gave a case of a benign skin cyst, which would cost 15.72 euros to remove at a general practitioner as compared to 92.10 euros at a hospital.

They said it is standard practice in most countries for general practitioners to perform such procedures. "Minor surgery is part of the training a family doctor receives in Estonia as well," the statement said.

Estonian family doctor Katrin Martinson said that she suspected it was an overly hasty decision and that she is holding out hope that it will be reversed.