Centralisation of Medical Cards to Dublin causing great delays for Waterford public - Ryan
Issued : Monday 9 January, 2012
Areas : Waterford
Waterford City Cllr Seamus Ryan has criticised the centralisation of the processing of medical cards stating that it has led to significant delays in processing applications. Some applications are taking several months to process causing great distress for many patients and their families in Waterford. Cllr Ryan stated that he is aware of many applicants who are awaiting their medical cards. This week in the North East Over 100 GPs have withdrawn from primary care teams because of the delays experienced by patients trying to renew or apply for medical cards.
The HSE implemented its decision to centralise the processing of all new applications and renewals of medical cards at the primary care reimbursement service, PCRS, in Finglas, Dublin, on 1 July 2011. Following the centralisation of the service, the PCRS reported that it was receiving approximately 20,000 applications per week. However rather than improving the service Cllr Ryan believes that the centralisation has led to delays.
"I am calling on the HSE the review this process immediately and to allocate additional staff to the PCRS to allow it deal with the inexcusable delays in issuing medical cards.
Cllr 
