Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Feb 2000

Vol. 515 No. 2

Written Answers. - Medical Cards.

Michael Bell

Question:

38 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the call by the Irish Medical Organisation for the issuing of a further 250,000 medical cards and the provision of regular health checks for the entire population; if so, his response to the call; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5494/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The health care system is structured to ensure that a high quality health care system is available to people based on need rather than ability to pay. This commitment to the principle of equity was reinforced in the national health strategy, Shaping a Healthier Future. In the context of this underlying principle of equity, it is considered that public funds can be utilised to best effect where those who have the means to do so fund their own care or contribute to the cost of that care.

I am aware of the benefit which contact with the general practitioner can offer in terms of health promotion and disease prevention. Any person with a medical card is, of course, entitled to visit their GP at any time they feel it is necessary.

Where people do not qualify for a medical card under income guidelines drawn up annually by health board chief executive officers, who have statutory responsibility for the determination of eligibility, a medical card may still be awarded if the chief executive officer considers that a family's medical needs or other circumstances would justify this. Medical cards may also be awarded to individual family members on this basis.

It is also relevant to mention that health boards are currently undertaking a review of GP services, with a particular focus on the role of the GP in prevention and screening. One of the concerns is the capacity of general practice, as currently constituted, to undertake an enhanced role in this area.