Laois councillor pleads for automatic medical card for terminally ill patients

A Laois councillor has asked the Department of Health and the HSE to give temporary Medical Cards to people with terminal or long term illnesses, without means testing them.

Laois County Council has formally requested the measure, on hehalf of Fine Gael Cllr Barry Walsh who tabled a motion to their April meeting.

He asks to introduce medical cards for up to two years for such patients.

"I encountered this issue while out canvassing. People with terminal or long term illnesses have enough to endure. The application form can be long and arduous. It is upsetting. I hope we can get a favourable response," he said.

Fianna Fáil Cllr John Joe Fennelly seconded the motion.

"This is a major issue on the doorsteps. People are being put through the hoops. It's not fair, people are suffering. Nobody looks for a card without good reason.

"I know a person with a part time job who was told to give it up, they did and still didn't qualify for a card. 

"It's terrible that someone with a terminal ilness has to nearly crawl," he said.

Cllr Paschal McEvoy agrees.

"A letter from a doctor should be enough to get an immediate medical card," he said.