Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 6

Written Answers. - Medical Cards.

Willie Penrose

Question:

258 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the position of the holder of a medical card who is applying for participation in one of the free schemes administered by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs and needs to have a form completed by his or her general practitioner; if it is appropriate that a person can be charged a fee by his or her general practitioner for this completion despite being the holder of a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6989/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

Under the Health Act, 1970, health boards are required to make available, without charge, a general practitioner medical and surgical service to persons with full eligibility, i.e. medical card holders. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, health boards enter into contracts with general practitioners, GPs, for the provision of these services under the general medical services, GMS, scheme.

The terms of the GMS doctors' contract are the subject of negotiation and agreement with the Irish Medical Organisation and provide that the normal sickness certificates and those examinations carried out prior to the issue of the first and final social welfare certificates are comprehended by the scheme and, as such, are available to GMS patients free of charge. Other certificates relating for example to driving licences, insurance and assurance policies and certain certificates relating to social welfare schemes which are not included in the GMS contract, would be subject to a fee by GPs.