asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the transport service for the collection of medical card patients to attend clinics in the Western Health Board area is very disorganised at present; and if he will consider providing extra funds to ensure a proper transport service for the underprivileged who have to avail themselves of these services.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Card Patients.
17.
I have made inquiries from the Western Health Board who provide this service and they do not accept that their transport service for the collection of patients is disorganised.
All the information available to me supports this view but if the Deputy has specific cases in mind and sends me particulars I should be glad to have them investigated.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary accept that at present patients are asked to assemble at points where they are collected by a minibus or other vehicle provided by the Western Health Board, that in many instances there is no shelter whatever at those points and that, consequently, the situation is not satisfactory? In the past patients were collected at their homes.
I agree that there has been a change in the system of collection but I assure the Deputy that where a patient, for health reasons, cannot go to the point of collection, he will be collected at his home. However, there must be some restrictions in regard to transport in order to avoid wasteful expenditure.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that in rural areas where there is no public transport service and where it is almost impossible to get taxi service, it is very difficult for people to keep appointments at clinics and that this situation disrupts the whole working of the health services?
I agree that there could be cases of hardship but the health board in the area concerned have informed me that they are anxious to deal with any hardship case. If the Deputy knows of any specific case of hardship I should be glad to have it inquired into on hearing from him.
Is it not a question of money? Surely if more funds were made available for the service, the problem would be resolved?
I would remind the Deputy that the transport service, and that includes the ambulance service, cost £500,000 in 1976 while the budget figure for 1977 is £545,000.
Another few pence would allow this service to be provided properly.