Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney.

Following the change in medical card eligibility for persons aged 70 and over in the Health Act 2008, the HSE through its service plan for 2009, advised the Department of Health and Children of plans to introduce a centralised national processing centre for medical cards and community drugs schemes as part of its value for money programme. The centralising of the medical card application and review process is facilitating a number of enhancements to the level of customer service associated with these applications

The HSE has informed the Department that its decision to centralise the processing of all medical card and GP visit card applications and renewals to the primary care reimbursement service, PCRS, in Dublin was in the context of its requirement to make efficiencies in business practices that could realise savings in a very challenging economic environment and provide a modern service to the public within sustainable levels of expenditure. The initial phase of the centralisation process commenced in January 2009 with the PCRS processing all medical card applications for persons aged 70 or over. The second phase commenced in September 2009 with the transfer of the case load from two local health offices in Dublin city to the PCRS.

The phased implementation will allow the situation to be continuously monitored and, if required, modified to address any issues arising. In 2009 the PCRS processed over 72,000 medical card applications which included nearly 42,000 reviews. With regard to these reviews, 85% of cases where the required information was supplied were completed within 20 working days and 95% within 30 days.

The HSE has recently put in place a national online system to allow local health offices track the current status of applications in the PCRS. The HSE has also advised that it has recently launched a facility, where a person who has applied through the PCRS can view the status of their medical card application or review online, using a unique reference number that is provided on the acknowledgement sent to him or her. In addition if a mobile telephone number is supplied with an application, updates by text message will be delivered to the applicant's phone. The PCRS is also finalising the development of a facility which will allow people to apply online if they wish.

The Minister for Health and Children in her letter to all members of the Oireachtas on the 19 January 2010 stated that she fully supports the decision by the HSE to centralise the medical card and GP visit card application and review process to one location. The HSE has advised that when fully implemented, this measure will ensure improved turnaround times for processing of applications - under the new arrangements the HSE will be aiming for a turnaround time of 15 working days or less, with provision for emergency applications to be dealt with immediately; consistent and equitable application of eligibility and service provision; clearer governance and accountability, as well as improved management information; and a reduction in the overall number of staff required to process medical or GP visit card applications, thus freeing up staff for other service needs.

The decision to centralise the medical card application and review process will, when fully implemented, enhance the delivery of services provided to the public and realise overall savings through the greater usage of shared services. This decision is in line with the Government's Transforming Public Services' Programme announced by the Taoiseach in November 2008. Therefore, it is not envisaged that the establishment of an all-party Oireachtas committee is required to review this initiative.

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