FAQs

A parent/guardian may bring 1 or 2 children to the doctor at the same time. If you need to bring more than one family member to see the Doctor, please ensure you book a Consultation appointment for each person. This will ensure the Doctor has sufficient time to deal with each person’s medical issue. We offer a reduced fee for a Consultation where more than one family member attends. Please see our fee list for details.

A Medical Card provides you with a range of medical services from your nominated GP. These services are provided to you free under a contract between the HSE and your GP and include standard medical consultations and related services required for the treatment of acute illnesses. No distinction is made between Medical Cards and Doctor Visit Cards (DVC) in relation to services from your GP however, holders of DVC will have to pay for medications in the pharmacy.

The Medical Card and Doctor Visit Card (DVC) schemes are intended to provide for acute medical services to those who are eligible and entitled to the cards. There are however a range of medical services and administrative requests which are not covered by the GMS contract and therefore not paid for by the state. These include:
– Routine blood tests
– Administrative forms including those issued by the Department of Social Protection
– Forms for medical appliances, respite, grants and tax credits,
– Examinations and forms relating to insurance policies
– Examinations and forms relating to Driving Licence Medicals
– Examinations and reports and records for Medical Legal purposes
– Pre-employment medical examinations and forms
– Examinations and forms in connection with fitness to take part in sports or attend gyms
– Travel vaccinations and travel health consultations
– Other vaccinations

In all of these cases, fees will apply for the completion of these examinations, forms and services.

You can see full details of the Medical Card and Doctor Visit Card (Under 6’s and Over 70’s) schemes here on the HSE website (include link). In summary, a Doctor Visit Card (DVC) will cover you for visits to the doctor and many of the standard medical services provided by your GP (not all services are covered – see above), however, you are not entitled to free medication with a DVC and therefore will need to pay for your medications at the pharmacy.

The conditions for using your Medical Card or Doctor Visit Card are that you attend the doctor for whom the card had been issued (the GP whose name is on the card, or a colleague in the same practice).

It may be possible for you to see a doctor in Sirona Medical in the case of an emergency or if you are temporarily away from the area where you normally live. Please make the Reception staff aware if you hold a Medical Card with another GP. Unfortunately, if you are not able to get an appointment with your own GP, you are not automatically entitled to see a different GP under the medical card scheme. Fees for consultation will apply in this case.