asked the Minister for Health whether he will change the regulations governing the award of medical cards so as to ensure that full benefit will be accorded retrospectively to the date of application.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Cards.
15.
The date from which services become available to a person who applies for a medical card is a matter for the health board. There would be serious practical difficulties in making the availability of the general medical service retrospective in all cases. However, I recognise that there is a real problem here and I am seeking an early solution.
16.
asked the Minister for Health the arrangements being made in the Beara area of west Cork for persons who cannot be granted medical cards for the sole reason that they cannot get a doctor to sign the acceptance forms.
I am informed that five persons in this area were unable to obtain the services of the first doctor of their choice, but only one is still not on a doctor's list. The Southern Health Board wrote to this person on 1st June and are awaiting a reply. If he indicates either that a doctor has accepted him or that he has been unable to obtain acceptance by a doctor, the health board will make the necessary arrangements for him. No eligible patient should, of course, be without a medical card simply because a doctor will not sign an acceptance form.