asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the severe hardship caused by the refusal of doctors in the GMS to accept new medical card holders on their panels; and the steps he proposes to take to deal with the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Card Holders.
1.
I understand from the health boards that no severe hardship has so far resulted from the refusal of some doctors to accept new patients under the general medical services scheme. The position is, however, being kept under constant review.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in Limerick alone it appears that there are dozens of such cases already and that, of course, they are increasing daily?
The Parliamentary Secretary is not so aware.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary get in touch with the Mid-Western Health Board and they will tell him? Further arising out of the reply, there is a procedure under the Health Act, 1970, whereby after a medical card holding patient has approached three doctors who have refused to take him on their panel, the health boards are obliged to designate him to a particular doctor. Has that been done and what has been the result of such designation?
My information is that in the few cases where this arose when doctors were assigned they went and worked in the normal way. When patients were assigned to doctors they got the treatment to which they were entitled.
They accepted them on their panel?
Yes.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary accept that if any card holders, or any appreciable number of card holders, or potential card holders, cannot procure a doctor to sign their form, this will result in the complete stultifying of the whole general medical services?
I accept that. What I said to Deputy O'Malley is true. There are only 11 cases in his health board area where this has happened.
I did not say that.
I am saying it.
In my constituency there are instances of persons who are entitled to medical cards but, because of the present situation, they are unable to get them. Is the Parliamentary Secretary prepared to accept this situation with equanimity, or will he do something positive to try to bring this present difficult situation to a satisfactory conclusion in order to ensure that people who desperately need these services will get them?
Like Deputy Haughey and Deputy O'Malley, the Minister and I are very seriously perturbed about this situation. I can assure both Deputies that we are doing everything we can to ensure that this situation will be brought to a speedy and satisfactory conclusion.
What positive steps are being taken at this moment? Are there any negotiations in train, or any overtures being made, or any initiatives being taken of which we should be aware?
I can say quite frankly that negotiations and consultations are in progress at the moment.