Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2012
661 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the amount paid to general practitioners for phlebotomy services provided in each of the years, 2009, 2010 and 2011; if he will provide a breakdown by the Health Service Executive region of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10765/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE's Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) is responsible for the payment of fees and allowances to general practitioners (GPs) who are contracted by the HSE to provide services under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme.
The PCRS does not pay GPs for the provision of phlebotomy services. Blood tests carried out as part of the general treatment of a patient are covered by the GMS contract with GPs.
At my request, the HSE wrote to all GMS GPs reminding them of their obligations under their contract in this regard. The letter to GPs pointed out that, where the practice based phlebotomy service forms part of the investigation and necessary treatment of a patient's symptoms or conditions by the patient's GP, the service should be provided free of charge where the patient is a medical card or GP visit card holder. I would encourage patients to follow up with the HSE if they believe they are being wrongly charged for services by their GP and the matter will be fully investigated by the Executive. Formal complaints will be dealt with through the HSE's Consumer Affairs Service. In a number of cases to-date, the GP has reimbursed patients following receipt of correspondence from the HSE.
I appreciate that because of the nature of the GP/patient relationship, it may be difficult for patients to make such complaints. Where public representatives are made aware of GPs charging GMS patients in error, they may wish to notify the HSE directly.
