Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 106: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reasons medical card holders are being charged by general practitioners in respect of certain health issues (details supplied); if this is acceptable under the guidelines of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6295/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the General Medical Services (GMS) contract, a general practitioner (GP) is expected to provide his/her patients who hold medical cards or GP visit cards with all proper and necessary treatment of a kind generally undertaken by a GP. Where blood tests form part of the investigation and necessary treatment of patients' symptoms or conditions, these should be provided free of charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. The HSE also points out that, in many GP surgeries, it is the practice nurse who takes blood samples. The HSE significantly subsidises the cost of employing practice nurses. If the HSE is made aware of specific cases where GMS patients are being charged by GP contractors, it will arrange to have such cases investigated as appropriate.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 107: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a medical card will be issued as a matter of urgency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [6304/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.