Inquiry into “ghost” medical card patients

HEALTH board bosses will shortly appear before the public finance watchdog to explain the €20 million medical card system blunder.

The treatment of around 30,000 “ghost patients”, who had died, moved away or entered long-stay care, cost the taxpayer €20 million in payments to family doctors.

The inquiry will be the first of a series of examinations into health sector spendingby thepowerful Dáil Public Accounts Committee.