Sir, – As a GP, I must add my voice to the chorus of complaint about the delay in the Primary Care Reimbursement Scheme’s (PCRS) processing of medical card applications. One would certainly be forgiven for wondering if there were a plan to slow the whole thing down in order to save revenue.
I must also, however, acknowledge and give credit where it is due. Earlier this year I had a patient diagnosed with a terminal illness. An application for a medical card was made and we wrote to and telephoned the office in Finglas to try to expedite the card. The patient did not have long to live and the medication necessary to alleviate the ongoing condition was expensive and would put an intolerable strain on the family finances.
I wrote a letter outlining the patient’s condition and asking that the medical card be expedited. The medical card was issued within days of receipt of my letter, giving some comfort to a suffering family and a great difference was made to the life of one individual. There is a large stream of negativity out there and I believe that in cases where something positive happens it should be acknowledged and applauded. Well done to the PCRS and to the individual involved in this particular case. – Yours, etc,