HSE denies delays in medical cards
The HSE said it aims to process all medical cards within 15 days and is currently processing over 85% within that time frame.
However, this is at odds with the experiences of people from Donegal to Cork, who have highlighted instances where people wait months for medical cards.
In Donegal, 16 GPs signed a letter over what they called frustration at the “ongoing and deliberate slowness” in giving out medical cards. For example, when a baby is born it can take up to six months to get a medical card or, if a card is up for renewal, it is cancelled, leaving the person without a card for months, it was claimed.
The 16 doctors have withdrawn from attending primary care team meetings, a move which will not affect patients, they say.
In the North East region, Sinn Féin health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said 100 GPs have done the same to protest delays in medical card processing, particularly for renewals.
Mr Ó Caoláin said Minister of State for Primary Care Roisín Shortall is in denial over the extent of delays in applications and renewals, He also suggested that additional staff should be appointed if necessary.
In west Cork, county councillor John O’ Sullivan said it was unacceptable that since the new, centralised application’s unit had been established, deadlines are being missed but public representatives are unable to make representations on behalf of applicants.
“Up to very recently, the processing of applications like medical card applications and others were dealt with on a localised basis. This allowed for local knowledge and, in the event of difficulties, for local representation by public representatives to advance applications on behalf of constituents,” he said.
“This has, in my opinion, been rushed, ill-considered and ill-timed and has now caused a situation whereby applicants are caused undue anxiety,” he added.
“It is inconceivable that people applying for assistance in these times, and more particularly at this time of year, should be left in these circumstances and undermines the ability of the HSE to respond to the needs of the people it is supposed to serve.”
Fianna Fáil spokesperson for health Billy Kelleher said there was no reason why people should be waiting months for a renewal.
“Medical cards should not be removed from seriously ill patients pending a review of their eligibility,” he said.
“If people are found to no longer be eligible for a medical card it is only then that action should be taken, not before the review has taken place. I am also calling on the Health Minister James Reilly to urgently look at a bridging mechanism for patients with serious and chronic illnesses whose medical cards have lapsed and new applications are being processed.
“There are significant delays being experienced by people in need of a medical card and I think it is only right that this issue should be addressed immediately,” Mr Kelleher said.
