Vol. 437 No. 4
38 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a practice in certain health boards wherein general practitioners are not allowed refer patients other than medical card holders for specialist services, particularly eye or ENT, unless such patients are private patients which practice appears to be contrary to the letter of the Health Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Outpatient dental, ophthalmic and aural services are not provided in public hospitals other than for medical card holders and patients receiving treatment arising out of child health examinations. This is in accordance with the provision of section 56 (1) of the Health Act, 1970, and the Health Services Regulations, 1972. The intention of these provisions was to ensure that persons outside of these groups would not attend hospital outpatient departments for dental, ophthalmic and aural services which would more appropriately be provided by community based practitioners e.g. dentists, opticians/ophthalmologists and general practitioners.
It was not intended to restrict out-patient attendances for treatment which is appropriate to the hospital setting. The Department is currently examining the situation with a view to ensuring that the legislation and regulations define, as precisely as possible, the overall intent in the provision of dental, aural and ophthalmic services.
