asked the Minister for Health if she will ensure that persons who are refused general medical service cards will be informed in future of the means assessed in their case in the same way as persons applying for assistance are informed under the social welfare code.
Written Answers. - General Medical Service Cards.
143.
A decision to grant or refuse an application for a medical card is one for the chief executive officer of each health board. Medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the CEO are unable to provide medical care for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship. In assessing entitlement to medical cards, regard is had not only to income but also to other personal and family circumstances which have a bearing on ability to meet medical expenses. A statement of the means assessed in any particular case would not, therefore, necessarily convey the basis for the refusal to grant a medical card.