John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 580: To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their medical card application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4896/12]

Róisín 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.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 581: To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm that valid medical cards held by children are now automatically deleted from the system when the child reaches the age of 16 years, although this was previously 18 years; if he will indicate when this change was introduced and the reason neither the patient nor the general practitioner is notified of the change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4897/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I have asked the Health Service Executive for a report on the issue raised by the Deputy. I will revert to the Deputy on the matter as soon as possible.

Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Question 582: To ask the Minister for Health if there was a change of policy in regard to charging patients with medical cards for blood tests in local health clinics (details supplied); and if he will clarify any changes relating to this matter. [4912/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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General Practitioners (GPs) who hold GMS contracts with the HSE must not seek or accept money from medical card or GP visit card holders for services covered under the GMS contract. For instance, in circumstances where the taking of blood is necessary to either (a) diagnose a patient or (b) monitor a diagnosed condition, the GP may not charge the patient if they are eligible for free GMS services. The HSE points out that, in many GP surgeries, it is the practice nurse who takes blood samples and that it significantly subsidises the cost of employing practice nurses.

At my request, the HSE has written to all GMS GPs reminding them of their obligations under their contract in this regard. I would encourage patients to follow up with the HSE if they believe they are being wrongly charged for services by their GP and the matter will be fully investigated by the Executive. Formal complaints will be dealt with through the HSE's Consumer Affairs Service. In a number of cases to-date, the GP has reimbursed their patients following receipt of correspondence from the HSE.

I appreciate that because of the nature of the GP/patient relationship, it may be difficult for patients to make such complaints. Where public representatives are made aware of GPs charging GMS patients in error, they may wish to notify the HSE directly.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 583: To ask the Minister for Health if a medical card will be expedited and approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [4929/12]

Róisín 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.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 584: To ask the Minister for Health if he will expedite an application for a medical card now under appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if the application appeal will be approved based on the medical circumstances of the applicant. [4945/12]

Róisín 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.