THE HSE must ensure all medical card applications are dealt with in no more than 15 days, the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children has said.
The committee said this should become standard practice prior to the proposed centralisation of the application system.
The committee has also called on the HSE to introduce a fast-track service for urgent cases. It is asking for the immediate introduction of these measures following meetings with the HSE, the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) and Age Action Ireland which examined the severe backlog in processing medical cards.
“Widespread problems have been reported in accessing medical cards for over-70s since the application system was centralised to Finglas and the committee is anxious that these problems are ironed out in advance of the planned centralisation of medical card applications for all groups,” a statement noted.
A spokeswoman for the HSE said last night the organisation would be “closely considering the recommendations of the committee over the coming days”.
Committee chairman Kildare Fianna Fáil TD Seán Ó Fearghail said: “We have heard worrying reports from committee members of constituents waiting several months to obtain their medical cards. This has resulted in worry, distress and patients taking an unnecessary financial hit . . . There is a real concern among the committee that the system will fall into further chaos if the application procedure for all medical cards is moved to the one site.”
He said the committee wants all applications processed within 15 days, a fast-track service for urgent cases, an advisory service in each county/local health office to assist with applications and make decisions on cards where appropriate and ensure that in cases of review of a medical card for a person over 70, their existing card will remain valid, even if the expiry date has passed, until a decision has been taken.
Age Action Ireland told the committee they had dealt with individuals waiting three months to have their cards renewed.