Row over doctor-only medical cards to be ‘resolved by end of week’

DIFFERENCES between health service employers and administration staff over whether extra staff were needed to process doctor-only medical cards should be ironed out by the end of the week.

The cards, which allow free GP visits but not free medication or physiotherapy, are due to be released in the coming weeks after an 11-month delay.

The IMPACT trade union, which represents administrative staff, yesterday said there was never an industrial dispute over the issue and that just three former health board areas have still to reach agreements on staffing levels.