Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012
923 Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive intend to include on the HSE website, information in relation to applying for emergency medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26926/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra924 Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has recently carried out an informative campaign to alert general practitioners and consultants in order that the correct information in relation to applying for a emergency medical card may be given to patients who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness or a serious medical issue. [26927/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 923 and 924 together.
The HSE has stated that work is under way to develop an integrated and comprehensive communications programme for PCRS. This programme is being designed to ensure that all stakeholders including patients, patient advocacy groups, public representatives, primary care contractors and the general media are regularly informed of developments within the Medical Card Scheme. A senior communications manager has been assigned to support this process.
The HSE wrote to all GPs on 27 February 2012 to advise them that the centralised medical card registration unit has an emergency medical card issue process, which operates in concert with Local Health Offices and that a person can at any time seek assistance from, or direct their emergency application to their local health office. They also advised GPs that if a GP had such a case he/she should contact their Local Health Office, who can request an emergency medical card from the central office if they are satisfied that an emergency situation obtains. Furthermore, in April 2012 the HSE reiterated the position to the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee, the Public Accounts Committee and across the health system, that an Emergency application can be initiated through the Local Health Office whose manager has access to dedicated contacts in PCRS. The HSE have also provided functionality to GPs to extend eligibility in some sensitive cases where a patient may lose eligibility because he/she cannot engage or complete his/her review due to a medical condition or social circumstances.
