Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Minister of State's reply but because of the relationship between patients and GPs, it is difficult for individual patients to make complaints. The HSE and the Department of Health should initiate a procedure whereby GPs would not charge medical card holders for blood tests.

A number of other issues have also arisen in GPs' surgeries. The Irish Medical Organisation has indicated that general practitioners should charge for letters, which is now happening, and also for minor surgery. There is a significant issue concerning blood tests, but other matters are also coming down the tracks. The Department of Health should monitor the situation and initiate contacts with GPs and the IMO on this matter.

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