asked the Minister for Health the reason medical card holders who have a prescription from an ophthalmic surgeon, having been seen privately, will be covered by the health board's dispensing scheme whereas medical card holders with a prescription from an ophthalmic optician will not be covered by the health board's scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Health Board's Dispensing Scheme.
465.
I understand that the Deputy is referring to the practice in the Southern Health Board area. That board is not currently operating the sight testing scheme under which ophthalmic opticians may prescribe spectacles for medical card holders. Neither is it filling prescriptions for eligible persons where such prescriptions are obtained from ophthalmic surgeons under a private arrangement.