System to reinstate medical cards is ‘flawed’

GPs have claimed the HSE’s system for allowing them to reinstate medical cards is "fundamentally flawed", warning that doctors have been repeatedly blocked from using the alleged two-year-old power.

The National Association of General Practitioners hit out at the situation yesterday — saying the previous deal has been deliberately misinterpreted — and casting fresh doubt over a key element of plans to reform the medical card system.

On Tuesday, Leo Varadkar, the health minister, announced a series of changes he said would make access to medical card help “more humane”.