Vol. 545 No. 4
272 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the action planned in view of the health strategy to clarify the issue of the entitlement of medical card holders to full cover for necessary nursing home or long-stay care. [30982/01]
The Deputy correctly points out that the new national health strategy, Quality and Fairness – A Health System for You, identifies the need that eligibility for health and personnel social services be clearly defined. The guidelines for entitlement to medical cards will be simplified and clarified. In line with the recommendations of the recent review of the medical card system commissioned by the chief executive officers under the programme for prosperity and fairness, this will ensure an improved, open and consistent framework for assessing eligibility for medical cards in all parts of the country. The health boards executive will monitor and evaluate medical card guidelines across the country and reduce as much as possible the need to exercise judgment on individual cases outside the guidelines.
