Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move recommendation No. 4:

In page 22, before section 15, to insert the following new section:
?15.?The Principal Act is amended in section 469(1) under paragraph (f) of the definition of ?health expenses? by deleting the words ?or similar treatment prescribed by a practitioner? after the word ?physiotherapy?.?.

Currently, section 469(1) of the principal Act requires that in order for a patient to claim reimbursement for physiotherapy costs, the patient must be referred for physiotherapy by a general practitioner. This amendment, if adopted, would allow a patient to claim the expenses of physiotherapy treatment regardless of whether he or she is referred by a GP. When one considers the cost of attending a GP for a referral, common sense would suggest that what is needed is a physiotherapist rather than a ¤50 visit to the GP followed by the expense of the consultation and treatment with the physiotherapist. We would like the Minister to examine this because in some instances unnecessary expense is being put on patients seeking treatment, without the necessity of going to a GP. This will allow us rely on people's common sense and judgment.