asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the procedure to be adopted by health authorities in the withdrawal of medical service cards; and if he will state the time from which such cards become ineffective to the holders.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Withdrawal of Medical Cards.
3.
There is no standard procedure laid down in the General Medical Services Regulations, 1954 for the review of the General Medical Services Register.
The Regulations provide that health authorities shall examine the Register not less than once a year and remove from it the particulars of any persons who have died, left the functional area of the health authority, or ceased otherwise to be entitled to the general medical services made available by the health authority. I should make it clear that entitlement to general medical services depends on the ability or inability of the person concerned to provide the services for himself, and for his dependants, by his own industry or other lawful means. The decision on the entitlement of each applicant for the services is entirely a matter for the health authority.
I am informed that in most areas review of the Register is a continuing process. The circumstances of all medical card holders are reviewed. If those circumstances continue to entitle the person concerned to general medical services, a new card is issued; if not, the card is cancelled and the holder is notified accordingly.
The cards become ineffective as from the date upon which they are cancelled by the health authority.