asked the Minister for Health (a) the number of medical cards issued in Dublin in 1964, (b) the average time interval between application and renewal, and (c) if temporary facilities can be offered to patients awaiting the issue of new medical cards.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Cards.
66.
Mr. O'Malley
I am informed that 27,433 general medical services cards were issued by the Dublin Health Authority in the calendar year 1964.
In the case of renewal of medical cards the practice is that the health authority issues advertisements at six-monthly intervals, indicating that cards which have been current for approximately 12 months are due for cancellation from a date about three months ahead, and inviting the holders of such cards to apply for renewal if they wish to do so. While, on average, it takes about four weeks to deal with an application for renewal, the arrangement is such that a person who is clearly entitled to a medical card, and applies for renewal in time, is issued with a new card before the date of expiry of the previous one.
Persons whose cards have not been renewed before the expiry date of their previous one, and who require general medical services, are covered by the provisions of Article 16 of the General Medical Services Regulations, 1954.
Is the Minister aware that undue delays occur, with the result that many patients are deprived of essential treatment while awaiting a medical card?
Mr. O'Malley
No, because if a person is waiting for the renewal of a medical card, most doctors act on the assumption that the card will be renewed. That is the position which obtains generally.
That is not happening.
Mr. O'Malley
We seem to be at cross-purposes on these matters. I will have investigated any cases with which the Deputy furnishes me. My information is that in the interval before the renewal of the medical card, people are automatically treated as if they had a card physically in their possession, and as if the card were active.