Áine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. Having listened for the past several hours about medical cards, I appreciate and understand the percentages and the financial constraints under which we all are, as does everyone in the country. However, the harm that has been done by the review is frightening. I recently had the case of an 87 year old whose medical card was reviewed six months ago and was reviewed again recently. I appreciate Mr. Hennessy’s point that the forms are comprehensive but quite simple. They might be to us who look at forms every day of the week, but for someone over 80 living on their own, they instil fear. Every member agrees on this. While I welcome the fact the HSE will go back to the drawing board on this, there has to be a better way of communicating.

Has any of the HSE delegation spent 24 hours in an accident and emergency department in any one of our hospitals in the past six months, preferably at the busiest time, Monday night?