HSE to fine doctors who charge medical card holders for blood tests

The HSE is being urged to crack down on doctors charging medical card holders for blood tests that they should receive for free.

Deputy Thomas Pringle first raised the issue with the Health Minister earlier this year, having received a number of complaints from the public.

Increasing numbers of GPs are charging medical card patients between €10-20-euro for each blood test.

Now the HSE is warning doctors that if they continue the practice, they risk losing a €30,000 annual grant from the Executive.