Sir, – Anne Matthews (November 2nd) refers to medical cards awarded on a discretionary basis and states that the decision to award such a card is made by “civil servants on our behalf”. In fact the decision to award such a card is made by a medical officer following a detailed examination of a person’s individual circumstances. If a case is complex, the medical officer will engage in a case-conference with other medical officers and is likely to seek the professional opinion of the applicant’s GP or consultant.
Ms Matthews also comments on the information campaign currently underway in relation to medical cards. The purpose of this campaign is to let people know where to get easily-accessible information in relation to the eligibility criteria, the application process, the status of an application and the appeals process. Such information can be accessed on www.hse.ie/medicalcard or by calling the lo-call number 1890 252 919 which is open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm.
The guidelines for eligibility are being applied consistently, objectively and equitably. Anybody who qualifies, as per the current guidelines, will receive or continue to hold a medical card. Discretion will continue to be applied fairly and compassionately for those people whose incomes exceed the prescribed thresholds. – Yours, etc,
PAUL CONNORS,
National Director for
Communications,
Health Services Executive,
Dr Steevens’ Hospital,
Dublin 8.