asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a medical card holder who obtains a prescription from a general medical practitioner who is not in the choice of doctor scheme is not entitled to have it dispensed by the chemist of his choice; and if he proposes to change the regulations in this regard.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dispensing of Prescriptions.
16.
The position generally is as indicated by the Deputy and I do not propose to change these arrangements.
Is the Minister aware that in cases of emergency a medical card holder may call in a doctor other than the doctor of his choice under the choice of doctor scheme, and that he should then be able to have the prescription dispensed by the chemist of his choice? In an emergency case a patient may call in a second doctor for a second opinion.
I am afraid I could not answer the second part of the Deputy's question. In the case where the doctor who is the choice of the patient is not available, he is bound to provide a locum before he disappears from the district. There may be other circumstances where it is not possible to visit the doctor of one's choice. For example one might be on holiday, or the medical card holder might be away from his own area. There is provision whereby another doctor could examine and prescribe and give a prescription to be given to a chemist.
Is the Minister aware that many patients who have had a doctor for many years find that their doctor has not opted to join the scheme and they have to pick a doctor who is not their choice? Therefore, they still remain with the doctor who is not in the scheme. In fact, they are saving the health scheme some money. All they are asking is that their prescriptions should be honoured. I do not see why this should be objected to. I would ask the Minister to look into this very seriously. It arises particularly in respect of old people who have been used to one doctor for years. In those special circumstances I would appeal to the Minister to make a special order about this and save money for the health services.
Where the locum being provided is not in the choice of doctor scheme, how do people get their medicines on their medical cards?
The doctor who is in the choice of doctor scheme nominates the locum and he automatically performs the choice of the patient.
The locum is there only for a week-end. How does that work?
He is acting on behalf of the doctor who is in the scheme.
Therefore, it can be done.
It can, if he is the locum.
Will the Minister look into the problem I referred to?
The scheme is under review at present and I will bring what the Deputy has said to the notice of the review body. When the scheme was initiated the agreement was that there would be a review within a certain period. That review is on-going at present.
This literally means asking the health board to provide a form for free prescriptions for medical card patients where they choose a doctor outside the scheme. That is all it amounts to. Will the Minister issue a directive to them to comply with this?
I will not issue a directive. I will wait and see what the result of the review is, bearing in mind what the Deputy has said.
Question No. 17.
There is no burden on the Exchequer.
The choice of doctor scheme would be a bit messed up.