Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
1250. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to situations in which persons in hospital who are being referred to general practitioners for blood tests are being charged accordingly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15641/20]
View answer1251. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to situations in which persons in hospital with medical cards who are being referred to general practitioners for blood tests are being charged accordingly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15642/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1250 and 1251 together.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, hospital appointments and procedures were restricted as a public safety measure. The availability of appointments as well as visitor restrictions may vary between hospitals. Non-COVID services are now starting back gradually.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services, including phlebotomy services, on a private basis. The fees charged by individual GPs for private consultations are a matter of private contract between clinicians and their patients.
Persons who are eligible for GP care without charge under the Health Act 1970 are not subject to any co-payments or other charges in respect of such services. There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for medical card or GP visit card holders to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition and the HSE has advised GPs accordingly.
I am aware that, nonetheless, some GPs are charging GMS patients for phlebotomy services in some circumstances. The GP chronic disease management programme which is being phased in from this year will involve the ongoing monitoring of patients’ condition and any blood tests required in this context will be covered by the fees payable for this care.
However, it remains a matter of concern to me that a medical card or GP visit card patient might be charged for blood tests which are clinically necessary and I have asked my officials to discuss with the HSE what further solutions to this issue may be possible. If such a patient believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office.
