Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2018
561. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if charges for dentist and bloods tests (details supplied) will be reviewed; the protocol in both cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37700/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with "all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess." There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition.
The HSE has advised GPs that where a blood test forms part of the investigation or necessary treatment of a patient’s symptoms or conditions, this should be free of charge for patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card. Notwithstanding this, I am aware that some GPs are charging GMS patients for phlebotomy services in some circumstances.
This is a matter of concern for me as it has long been the position, under successive Governments, that no user charges should apply to GP services provided to GMS and GP visit card patients. If a patient who holds a medical or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged by his or her GP, that patient should report the matter to their local HSE Health Office.
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides a range of treatments to medical card holders from contracted dental practitioners. This includes free dental examinations every calendar year, which can confirm if a patient is dentally fit to undergo a medical procedure. Records kept by dentists must be available when requested by patients and given to them within a reasonable period of time. Services which are not part of the DTSS contract may be charged at the dentist’s discretion. A new National Oral Health Policy is currently being developed which is considering alternatives to the current "fee per item" system provided within the DTSS. The Policy is due to be published later this year.
