asked the Minister for Health the number of (1) medical cards and (2) guardians' tickets (red tickets) issued in each of the areas of Cork City, Youghal, Midleton, Cobh, Kinsale, Bandon and Macroom during the period 1st January 1960 to 1st July 1961; the number of these tickets which were reported back to the Cork Health Authority for investigation; the result of this investigation by the Health Authority; and what steps were taken by the Health Authority in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Cards and Guardians' Tickets in Cork area.
25.
I presume the reference to "guardians' tickets" is to directions issued by authorised persons under Article 16 of the General Medical Services Regulations, 1954. These directions are normally intended to enable persons in the lower income group who have not provided themselves with medical cards to avail themselves of the services of the district medical officer immediately the need arises if the persons concerned cannot wait until the health authority have decided on their eligibility for a card.
As the information requested in the first two parts of the question is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, a Cheann Comhairle, with your permission, to circulate it with the Official Report.
The table shows that while, in the period mentioned, no directions were issued in Kinsale, Bandon or Macroom districts, only a few in the Youghal and Midleton districts and relatively few in the Cork City area, the number in Cobh, at 151, was exceptionally high.
The situation in Cobh was exceptional also in the respect that it was only in that area that the doctors to whom the directions were issued referred them back to the Health Authority for investigation. Of the 151 directions issued in the area, no less than 111 were so referred back.
The Health Authority investigated the means of the persons to whom the tickets were issued and decided that, in relation to 20 of the tickets, the persons to whom they were issued were not entitled to general medical services. These tickets were cancelled and the district medical officers and authorised persons concerned were notified accordingly.
In October, 1960, the health authority wrote to two of the authorised persons in the Cobh area requesting them to exercise care in the issue of tickets.
The following is the statement:
|
Area |
Number of Medical cards issued |
Number of directions issued |
|
Cork City |
2,305 |
113 |
|
Youghal |
57 |
7 |
|
Midleton |
109 |
9 |
|
Cobh |
206 |
151 |
|
Kinsale |
89 |
nil |
|
Bandon |
153 |
nil |
|
Macroom |
89 |
nil |
The figures quoted for Cork city are in respect of the Cork urban and Cork rural, Nos. 1 and 2 Dispensary Districts which comprise Cork city and suburbs and some of the adjoining rural area.
Could the Minister say, in respect of the withdrawal of medical cards, whether or not there is an annual review of the means of each holder of a medical card?
There ought to be, in accordance with the regulations, but in the earlier years of the operation of the Health Act, there was some delay.
At the present time the review is in respect of every card?
Every card is supposed to be examined once a year in order to determine whether the holder is entitled to it.