asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider extending the medical services available to the families of serving soldiers on the Curragh Camp to the families of serving soldiers at Naas, Kildare and Athy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Medical Services.
9.
The medical services provided for soldiers' dependants in the Curragh Camp are available to the families of serving soldiers residing at Naas, Kildare and Athy if they present themselves at the Curragh General Military Hospital.
Is the Minister aware that this would impose a serious hardship on the people living a long distance from the Curragh? These people feel that they are not getting similar service, for soldiers' families. Is the Minister aware that in Naas there is a special service from a local doctor, available for soldiers? Could this be extended to the families of soldiers?
As the Deputy is aware, the position in the Curragh in relation to medical services for soldiers' dependants is unique and long standing because of the fact that the camp is a military town with no civilian doctor in the area. There is a families section, in the Curragh General Military Hospital where soldiers' families from inside and outside the camp are treated. The services afforded by army medical officers include, attendance on such families living within the camp limits. Medicines prescribed for patients so attended, or under treatment at the family section, are dispensed free of charge in the hospital pharmacy. Patients of the family section who are referred to specialists or to other institutions may also have their prescriptions dispensed free of charge at the hospital pharmacy. The Deputy is aware, too, that soldiers are insured under the Social Welfare Acts and that by virtue of such insurance, they and their dependants are entitled to certain services and benefits. These services include free in-patient and out-patient treatment and maintenance at health board hospitals or at hospitals approved by health boards. They are entitled too, to a refund of portion of the cost of having prescriptions compounded. Having regard to these facilities, there is no change contemplated in the present arrangements.
Would the Minister agree that the services available to soldiers who may be serving at the Curragh but not living there are different from the services available to those soldiers who live on the camp?
For those soldiers serving on the Curragh and living there, medical facilities are readily available at the Curragh military hospital. The same facilities are available to any soldier living away from the camp but who wishes to avail of the medical services at the hospital.
Is it not unsound medically to suggest to a person living in, say, Athy, Naas or Newbridge that he travel to the Curragh for medical help? Normally only people who are unwell seek medical help.
Because of the very high standard of medical care and skills available at the Curragh, soldiers who are ill may wish to be treated there but they have the option of availing of the services provided in their health board areas. However, those who present themselves at the Curragh are extremely welcome. They can be assured of every care and attention.
I am calling Question No. 10.
The position regarding those soldiers or their familes who seek treatment outside the military hospital is that, in the event of their not holding medical cards, they must pay for these services.
All I can say in that regard is that any soldier who may be financially embarrassed in this way can go to the Curragh military hospital where he will be treated free of charge.
In the event of someone being advised by his doctor to remain in bed, would it not be unwise medically for that patient to travel to the Curragh from, say, Naas, Athy or Kildare town?
As I have indicated already, the situation at the Curragh is unique. This is because of of its being a military area with a general military hospital but with no civilian doctors. Consequently, those members of the force residing outside the Curragh area and wishing to avail of the services of a civilian doctor are entitled to do so but they are entitled also to avail of the free services at the Curragh.