Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2013
640. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason charges continue to be placed on medical card holders for the taking of blood samples by general practitioners; if he will detail the actions taken on this issue since July 2012; the further actions he proposes to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50653/13]
View answerUnder paragraph 11 of the General Medical Services (GMS) contract, a general practitioner (GP) shall provide for eligible persons, on behalf of the HSE, all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a GP and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which GPs cannot reasonably be expected to possess. Under paragraph 27 of the GMS contract, a medical practitioner shall not demand or accept any payment or consideration whatsoever in reward for services provided by him/her, or for travelling or for other expenses incurred by him/her or for the use of any premises, equipment or instruments in making the services available. In circumstances where the taking of blood is necessary to either (a) assist in the process of diagnosing a patient or (b) monitor a diagnosed condition, the GP may not charge that patient if they are eligible for free GMS services under the Health Act, 1970, as amended.
In 2011, the HSE wrote to GP contract holders to clarify the position in relation to this matter. The HSE has also communicated its position to the Irish Medical Organisation. Any alleged instances of eligible patients being requested to pay for a routine service of this nature from their own limited resources is viewed as a serious matter by the HSE and the Department.
I have been advised by the HSE that its Local Health Offices will fully investigate any reported incidents of eligible patients being charged for phlebotomy services which form part of the investigation and necessary treatment of patients' symptoms or conditions. In such cases, where a medical card holder or a GP visit card holder has been inappropriately charged for the taking of blood, the HSE will make deductions from those GPs' routine GMS payments. Since July 2012, the HSE has made deductions from 7 GPs' GMS payments, where it determined that the GPs in question had inappropriately charged patients for phlebotomy services (3 in Dublin, 3 in Kilkenny and 1 in Wexford).
The HSE is also continuing to advise eligible patients who believe they have been inappropriately charged by a GP for routine phlebotomy services, to seek a refund from the GP in question. It is appreciated that because of the nature of the GP/patient relationship, it may be difficult for patients to make such complaints. Where public representatives are made aware of GPs charging GMS patients in error, they may wish to notify the HSE directly. Officials in my Department are in consultation with the HSE with a view to drawing up a new GP contract. The appropriate arrangements in relation to phlebotomy services will be considered as part of the new contract.
