Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Question:
167
Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the procedures which have been put in place in each health board area to ensure that all those over 70 years of age are issued medical cards in July 2001; if he has satisfied himself that sufficient staff will be in place to deal with the large number of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10591/01]
Pat Carey
Question:
184
Mr. P. Carey
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if arrangements have yet been put in place with health boards to ensure that all those who are over 70 years and therefore entitled to a medical card from 1 July 2001, will actually have one on time; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10673/01]
Paul McGrath
Question:
196
Mr. McGrath
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the discussions he has had with the Irish Medical Organisation concerning the decision of Government to grant medical cards to all persons over 70 years of age; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some general practitioners are refusing to sign application forms for some applicants in this age category; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this is causing great anxiety and worry for those people; and the plans he has to get over these difficulties and have the scheme up and running for the projected start up date of July 2001.
[10826/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 167, 184 and 196 together.
The decision to extend automatic medical card eligibility to those in the age group 70 and over was announced in the budget last December. It was also then stated that the measure would be introduced from July of this year. The choice of that date was to allow for the timely, agreed and effective implementation of the initiative and in particular to ensure that the application processes for those benefiting could be as smooth and simplified as possible.
In that context, all health boards are currently examining their organisational processes, including staffing and other resources matters, to ensure readiness. In addition, the Department is proposing to embark on a public informational campaign at the end of April to promote awareness of the budget initiative. It is considered that a campaign at that time will have the greatest impact. That campaign will be carried out in conjunction with the health boards and will involve media coverage, press releases, advertising features and even Internet promotion. The relevant section in my Department will continue to give the fullest information available to any person making an inquiry on this subject either now or in the future.
On the matter of discussions with the Irish Medical Organisation, I met with the IMO at the beginning of March to discuss a range of issues relevant to the operation and development of general practice, including the introduction of automatic medical card eligibility for all persons aged 70 and over. I found the discussion useful and informative.
More recently, agreement on a number of specific matters has been secured with the IMO at the Health Service Employers' Agency including a commitment from them to enter discussions on the medical card issue after Easter with a view to ensuring agreed implementation by the due date of 1 July.
Having regard to all of the above, it would be most disappointing and regrettable if any general practitioner was to be unhelpful in assisting any eligible patients to benefit from this initiative. Indeed, the positive role that such doctors can play in making the application process as smooth as possible will be one of the matters to be discussed with the IMO.
