Anger over medical card delay

THE HSE has been urged to make a decision on an
application for a joint medical card made by a Southside stroke victim and her
disabled husband over 15 months ago.

Breda Fitzpatrick (55), from Liscarne in Clondalkin,
first applied to the HSE office at Cherry Orchard Hospital in October 2010 for
a joint medical card along with her husband Peter, who is in receipt of
disability benefit due to chronic arthritis.

According to Ms Fitzpatrick, her application was
initially refused by the HSE on the grounds that she was earning in excess of
the income threshold set for a medical card. She appealed the decision but is
still waiting for an answer.

Last month, the head of the HSE Primary Care
Reimbursement Service apologised for delays in processing applications for
medical cards. The delays have meant many patients on low incomes have either
had to pay for their own medication or go without it.

“I had a stroke and I am on medication for life,

? Ms
Fitzpatrick explained.

“My husband has arthritis and also had his left ankle
removed. Now his right ankle needs treatment.

“He might need another operation but I wouldn’t have
the money for that.

?

Ms Fitzpatrick claimed she received a letter in
September 2011 apologising for the delay in processing her appeal. However, the
letter also asked for further personal details that she says she already
provided.

“I have given them this information three times
already,

? Ms Fitzpatrick stated.

“I have given them all the information since
they sent me this letter but they still have not made any decision on my case.

?

Ms Fitzpatrick added that she had been forced to spend
money on medication that she had put away to pay her mortgage.

Eoin O’Broin, a Clondalkin based Sinn Fein activist,
noted that although Ms Fitzpatrick was working full time he believes she and
her husband are entitled to a medical card.

“Lengthy delays are not only extremely stressful for
those involved but very costly,

? he said.

“We are talking about people with
serious illnesses and serious medical costs.

?

A spokesperson for the HSE said it did not comment on
individual cases.

However, the spokesperson added that the HSE accepted
that a number of issues had arisen in relation to the processing of medical
card applications.

“The HSE agreed with the Public Accounts Committee
that it would review the operations and processes within the central processing
office with a view to ensuring that the most responsive service for the public
is in place,

? the spokesperson said.