Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
853. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the reason a person who has a medical card has to pay to get his or her ears syringed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37029/20]
View answerPersons 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. Under the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess." The removal of wax by ear syringing is considered to be included under the GMS contract if the removal of wax forms part of the "proper and necessary treatment" required by an eligible patient.
I am not aware that there is currently an issue regarding GPs charging medical card patients for necessary ear syringing. However, if a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes they have been incorrectly charged for a service by their GP, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office.
