I have had inquiries made of the South Western Area Health Board, SWAHB, and understand that a decision was made in January 2004 to return medical care processing services to one central location, Poplar House, headquarters of community care Kildare-west Wicklow. I understand from the SWAHB that the decision was taken due to difficulties experienced over the past few years in regard to the operation of the scheme at local level and the need to provide consistent high quality service to the public.
The SWAHB has assured me that the centralisation of this service will achieve a high quality service provision in Kildare-west Wicklow with all clients files available in one central location, prompt processing and output of applications as well as easy access for appeal cases. I understand clients can still get medical card application forms and return medical card application forms to the local health centre. They can also access advice, etc. on medical card application through the local health centre there. The only difference will be, the processing of the medical card application will be done in Poplar House.