Ombudsman reversed refusal of medical card to heart patient

THE Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, yesterday published a digest of 12 complaints referred to her for examination by public representatives.

The complaints and their outcomes are detailed fully in the report and include the reversal of a refusal by the HSE of a medical card to a teenage heart patient. Another case involved the payment of taxi bills for hospital visits for a patient awaiting surgery.

The publication, which was launched by Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue, coincided with a briefing hosted by her office for members of the Oireachtas and their staff.