Discretionary medical card for cancer patient
Deputy Moynihan described a terminally ill cancer patient whose discretionary medical card was being delayed by paperwork. The Minister asked for the person’s name and said she would take the case herself that day.
The programme for Government mentions making it easier for people with serious illnesses to access medical care. I again raise the issue of cancer patients looking for medical cards, having gone through the system. This morning, the medical card section came back again about a person who is documented as being terminally ill. It is looking for a letter from the person's consultant rather than the general practitioner. It is documented in the application. Do we have to scream and roar at the medical card section to accept an application from this patient who is terminally ill and about whom the medical profession has provided documentation to the section? It is not good enough.
This is an urgent issue and we are sick and tired of contacting the medical card section on these issues.
Comment on this
There is no point in me trotting out the information that all medical cards are based on means, with the exception of discretionary medical cards. This is clearly a very emotive issue and it does relate to a discretionary medical card. If Deputy Michael Moynihan could do me a favour and give me the person's name, I will take care of the matter myself today.