asked the Minister for Health in what circumstances the holder of a medical card is entitled to free medical treatment at home rather than at a dispensary; and if such holder is entitled to request a visit by the local doctor at home in the evening.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Medical Treatment at Home.
37.
A person covered by a medical card is entitled to a domiciliary visit from the district medical officer if the nature of his illness is such that he is not able to attend at the normal dispensary sessions.
A person who became seriously ill during the evening would be entitled to ask the district medical officer to visit him.
In general, medical card holders are advised by health authorities that where a domiciliary visit is needed the request should, as far as possible, be made early in the day.
I think the Minister spoke about where somebody becomes suddenly ill or there is an emergency. Take the case of a person suffering from a prolonged illness and the only other occupant of the house is out at work and there is nobody there during the day. Can such a person request that the doctor attend him in the evening under this medical card service?
I think so.
If it is not suitable for them that the doctor call during the normal working day, are they entitled to request service in the evening?
I think so.
Am I to take it that the patient cannot have any choice of doctor? If they have a family doctor, am I to take it that they cannot select him? Am I to take it that it must be the dispensary doctor?
Yes.
Where the patient has a long illness record and his own doctor is perfectly aware of the illness and knows how to treat it, and is more competent, due to his long knowledge——
Under the present system, they would have no choice. They could go to the other doctor but they would have to pay.
The only thing that qualifies the time a doctor is sent for is that the patient requires the doctor. I was afraid somebody might get the impression that there are special circumstances under which a patient who is the holder of a medical card is considered ill. I think the Minister was correct.
It was just so that people would be considerate of the doctor, if they could.
The holders of medical cards are considerate of the doctor but the attitude must not be: "You have a medical card: you must send for me before 10 a.m."
Some try to do it.
Some try to do it.
They are paid not to do it.