Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I will bring her concerns to the Minister because she has articulated them in a passionate and informative way, and I hope this will be dealt with. The position of the Department and of the HSE has consistently been that routine blood tests are comprehended by the provisions of the GMS and that there should be no charges for routine blood tests. As I mentioned, however, the issue of GPs charging GMS patients for phlebotomy services is complex and the Department and the HSE have discussed this issue with GP representatives. Unfortunately, it did not prove possible to reach agreement that no charges for blood tests would be applied in any circumstances, but it is intended to raise the issue again at an appropriate time. The HSE has put in place a process whereby the local health office will investigate on a case-by-case basis complaints from GMS patients who believe they have been inappropriately charged and will, where appropriate, arrange for a refund to the patient.

I have listened to the Deputy and will bring the issue to the Minister to try to get it resolved as quickly as possible. It is not satisfactory but issues need to be resolved between all the stakeholders. I hope they will be resolved as quickly as possible.

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