Health Services

This dispute is not affecting all pharmacies so it is important to ask your pharmacist if they will be filling your prescription under the Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme form 1st March 2008.

If they say no, then you should ask them to return your prescription to you along with records of any other medication you have.

Call the HSE info-line on 1850 24 1850, open from 8am-8pm Monday to Saturday.

The HSE will give you details of pharmacies in your area that will fill your prescription, or make alternative arrangements to ensure that you can get the medicines that you need.

For further information view the HSE website www.hse.ie

Assistance towards the costs of the purchase of medical and surgical aids and appliances, such as wheelchairs, walking aids etc, may be provided directly by the HSE to Medical Card holders who need them. Non Medical Card holders may get some assistance from the HSE if they are part of hospital treatment. Contact Disability Services in the HSE to see if any assistance is available.
Members of private health insurance schemes may be able to get a refund of part of the cost of medical and surgical aids.

Refunds of Vat may be claimed for certain aids and appliances used by a person with a disability to assist them with independent living and working.

Applications for refunds and any enquiries should be made to:
VAT Repayments Section, Government Buildings, Kilrush Rd, Ennis, Co. Clare
Ph: LoCall 1890 202 033 Website: www.revenue.ie

A subvention may be paid towards the cost of a private nursing home of your choice where you have been assessed as needing nursing home care by the HSE and you pass a means test. The amount of subvention depends on your level of dependency and on your means. The maximum weekly rates are:

• Medium Dependency - €114.30
• High Dependency - €152.40
• Maximum Dependency - €190.50

Application should be made to your Local Health Centre before going into the nursing home. If an application is made after admission you can be debarred from claiming a subvention for two years.
You or a relative who is paying towards the nursing home expenses may be able to get tax relief on nursing home fees. Your local Inspector of Taxes can give you more information.

Registered private nursing homes are approved by the Revenue Commissioners for the purposes of getting tax relief on fees paid. The list of approved nursing homes is available on the Revenue website www.revenue.ie.

Social Welfare recipients or their dependents who frequently incur travel expenses when attending hospitals or clinics may have an entitlement to a special travel Supplement. To qualify you must satisfy the general conditions for receipt of Supplementary Welfare Allowance.

Apply to the Community Welfare Officer in your local health centre.