Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2021
696. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to instances in which general practitioners are giving blanket refusals to see medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57529/21]
View answerI am not aware of GPs giving blanket refusals to see medical card holders. General practice has continued to operate during the Covid-19 public health emergency and GPs see patients face to face where necessary, albeit with infection-control measures in place.
In response to the pandemic, it has been necessary for GPs to triage patient in-person contact with GP surgeries as much as possible, to help prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus and for the protection of patients and staff. GPs are performing assessments over the phone to determine if a patient needs to attend the surgery or whether a remote phone consultation is suitable. Where clinically indicated, the GP will arrange an appointment to see the patient in the surgery.
