asked the Minister for Health if he intends to provide medical cards for persons with muscular dystrophy or to extend the long term illness book to cover doctor's fees.
Written Answers. - Muscular Dystrophy.
611.
The issue of a medical card to a particular person is a statutory function of the chief executive officer of a health board. In assessing an applicant's eligibility the primary criterion is the person's means, though his medical needs may be taken into account. All muscular dystrophy patients would not necessarily qualify on this basis.
Under the long term illness scheme, which includes this condition, drugs and medicines for the treatment of the illness are available free of charge. There are no proposals at present to extend this scheme to cover doctors visits.