A large delegation from the Joint Committee on Health and Children will visit the Medical Card Centre at the HSE Offices in Finglas on Friday morning, March 2nd.
Committee Chairman, Jerry Buttimer TD said: “The decision by the HSE to centralise the processing of its medical card operations at its offices in Finglas has come in for very heavy criticism from a number of quarters. There have been many complaints from cardholders that the centralised system has led to delays in renewing medical cards. Some people have cited waiting times of up to nine months for cards, while others have said that applications and documents have been lost, causing some people to have to resubmit their details.
The HSE says that the 150 staff, who were reassigned to the centralised office in Finglas from various sections, required retraining resulting in delays in getting the new unit fully staffed. Also, the HSE says that it has set a target that applications would be turned around in three weeks. However, according to many medical card applicants, so far this has not been achieved.
Minister of State Shorthall, who has responsibility for Primary Care, has admitted there are serious difficulties and delays in the processing of cards. Members of the Joint Committee are very concerned about these delays and the undue anxiety and worry caused for many people who need medical treatment.
It is important that anyone who is eligible for a medical card receives one in a timely and efficient manner. On Friday, in an attempt to get to the bottom of the issue, a delegation from the Committee will visit the Medical Card Centre in Finglas to see at first-hand the processing of medical cards and to question those in charge of the operation.”