Sir, – I applied for a medical card review on behalf of my wife and myself on July 11th. In total, I have received seven letters, each one requesting new or already supplied information. I have had five phone conversations, three of which stated I would have a result in 10 to 14 days. I have had two emails apologising for delays. I have submitted five queries to the Primary Care Reimbursement Scheme status page but did not receive any reply.
Are these delays deliberate or it is another form of bureaucratic harassment designed to prevent applicants getting entitlements due? Whatever the case, it is not excusable. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – As GPs, we have come across distasteful acts by the Primary Care Reimbursement Scheme in its treatment of the medical card population. It is, however, the first time that we have had personal experience of a sustained campaign by them against the most vulnerable and marginalised in our society.
The constant delays, mishaps and information-seeking in relation to applications for medical cards are simply not credible. It implies they are either inept at their jobs or that this blitz is an overzealous campaign based on Harry Potter-type accounting. In trying to save money by absolute and sheer incompetence, they manage only to cause ill-health and misery. This costs the State multiples of the cost of the medical card in using other services of the State to deal with the crises in which these misfortunates find themselves. The overall result is systemic abuse of those who have no voice in establishment Ireland.
In the various media, the apologists of the scheme have tried to explain themselves. We hear no humility. We hear no apology. We hear only the hollow sounds of civil servants who for too long has been sheltered from the lives of those they are honoured to serve. – Yours, etc,