Written answers

Thursday, 12 January 2012

5:00 pm

Photo of John O'MahonyJohn O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not received a decision on their appeal for a medical card. [1800/12]

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 242: To ask the Minister for Health the action being taken to deal with concerns outlined by doctors in the north east in relation to delays in processing medical card applications and also the reduction in out of hours services which occurred some months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1803/12]

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Any undue delay in the processing of medical card applications and reviews is a matter of serious concern to me and I have held detailed discussions with the Health Service Executive on this issue. I have asked the HSE for a report on each of the issues raised by the GPs mentioned in the question and this is being worked on at present. I will be communicating with the GPs concerned once this is complete.

I was particularly concerned at some of the reports in relation to medical card renewals. A medical card holder who genuinely engages with the review of their medical card should not have their entitlement withdrawn before that review is complete. The HSE is taking steps to ensure that cards are not withdrawn in such circumstances going forward.

The HSE will this month introduce a new medical card review process for persons aged 66 years or over. This will result in these reviews being based on a self-assessment review model, as currently operates for persons aged over 70. The HSE also plans to introduce this self assessment model for medical card holders aged under 66, who were granted their medical card on the basis of a means assessment. The HSE is also standardising eligibility review periods from two years to three years for people aged under 66 years, with a new four year eligibility review period for medical card holders aged 66 years or over.

In addition, from early February, the HSE will implement a new system that provides additional functionality to GPs to maintain the eligibility of their patients where a patient is going through the renewal process. This new system will also allow GPs to add details of newly born babies online.

These reforms should significantly reduce the administrative burden on medical card holders and the HSE, and contribute to a more efficient service. I am continuing to engage with the HSE on a range of other issues in relation to the processing of medical card applications.

In relation to out-of-hours services in the North East, the North East Doctor On-Call (NEDOC) Service has been in place for the past eleven years and is provided by GPs with appropriate supports from the HSE. In 2010, the Health Service Executive published a report entitled "National Review of GP Out of Hours' Services". This review identified 13 recommendations aimed at standardising the operation of GP out-of-hours co-operatives. Part of this standardisation resulted in the fees for GP out-of-hours services set by Regulation under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act (2009) being applied to NEDOC, rather than the grant payment which applied prior to this. These GP out-of-hours fees now apply to all GP out-of-hours co-operatives.

In March 2011, NEDOC Ltd. put in place revised rotas which reduced the number of doctors on duty in each of the four treatment centres. From July to September 2011, the number of night time doctors was reduced from four to three - however, with the onset of winter and increased activity, the fourth night time doctor was re-instated from 1st October 2011, resulting in a night time doctor being available in each of the four treatment centres.

The HSE will continue to monitor the rostering arrangements put in place by NEDOC to ensure that a safe and effective level of GP rostering is in place to meet the demands of the service.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Health if and when a medical card applied for several months ago is likely to issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1826/12]

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

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