John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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256. To ask the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) with a medical card can be charged for getting bloods taken. [38277/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Persons covered by the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme should not be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP, or the Practice Nurse on behalf of the GP, which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition. The HSE has addressed this issue and advised GPs, that where the service forms part of the investigation or necessary treatment of a patient’s symptoms or conditions, it should be provided free of charge for patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card.

If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he/she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his/her GP, then that patient may wish to make a complaint to the HSE Local Health Office who will deal with the matter in accordance with the HSE’s Complaints Policy. Contact details for all Local Health Offices can be found on the HSE’s website.

In relation to the particular case raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.