Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 April 2016
473. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health why persons who hold a full medical card must pay extra to have blood tests carried out by their general practitioner; if these tests should be covered by their medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5642/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPersons covered by the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme should not be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP, or the Practice Nurse on behalf of the GP, which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition.
Consultation fees charged by GPs outside the terms of the GMS contract are a matter of private contract between the clinicians and the patients. While I have no role in relation to such fees, I would expect clinicians to have regard to the overall economic situation in setting their fees.
The Department of Health and the HSE are cognisant of the need for a new contract with GPs that will help modernise our health service and develop a strengthened primary care sector and negotiations are under way with the Irish Medical Organisation in this regard. The development of appropriate contractual arrangements in relation to the management of chronic conditions and issues such as phlebotomy services are among the significant issues to be considered during the contractual talks.
