asked the Minister for Health if he will issue individual hospital service cards to students from whom medical cards have been withdrawn.
Written Answers. - Hospital Service Cards.
433.
A hospital services card is documentary evidence, provided by a health board that a person is entitled to free hospital consultant services. It is intended mainly for a person who has had some indication of the need for hospital services arising.
The issue of such cards to all persons affected by the Health Services (No. 3) Regulations, 1983, would require a considerable administrative effort by health boards. Most of this effort would be wasted because very few of these cards would actually be needed. Any person affected by the regulations who may need hospital services should apply to his or her local health board office and a hospital services card will be issued without delay. If such a person is referred for hospital services without having received a hospital services card, his entitlement to free hospital services is not affected and can be established by the hospital at the time of receipt of services.