The HSE medical card of shame
Further to the ‘horribly insensitive‘ HSE cards featured yesterday.
Triona Murphy, from Tallaght Hospital Action group, writes
I saw your story about the medical cards for women resident in certain institutions. I was appalled. I emailed the Data commissioner and received the following response.
Dear Ms Murphy,
I refer to your recent email to this Office in relation to the medical
cards for certain individuals.I can confirm that this Office has been in contact with the PCRS in
relation to this matter. It is our understanding that holders of these
particular cards are entitled to additional services hence why the cards
appear different to general medical cards / gp cards.However, I can advise that this Office would have concerns in relation to
the inclusion of the words ‘Redress For Women Resident in Certain
Institutions’ on these cards and we have relayed our concerns to the HSE.I can confirm that the HSE have revoked these cards and new cards will
issue.I hope this is of some assistance and I would like to thank you for
contacting us on this matter.Yours Sincerely,
Fair play in Fairness
Mmf.
Yesterday: Identification Card
* The cards originally appeared on the Shame of Ireland blog and tweeted to us..
…we are delighted to announce that the new cards will be entitled ‘Crazy Ladeez’
It’s the little things getting done that make the days a bit better.
…well done Triona (&BS)…breathtaking insensitivity…someone should be taken to account for this, removed from their position and at least retrained.
They will now be marked with an emoticon of a wink.
Its still indicative of the culture in the HSE that some gobsh#te thought it appropriate to issue those cards. This is the culture that Aras Attracta came out of, remember. Contempt is deeply ingrained. I worked in the HSE years ago after returning from UK and was stunned and horrified. This is not to say there aren’t well intentioned individuals, but the toxic culture is overwhelming.
What a strange feeling, not hating this country as much, so far, today…
There’s something slightly unnerving about something like this being resolved so easily. Not used to it at all at all
I believe the numbers on the cards were of a different format to other medical card numbers and so would not function throughout the HSE IT structures. As for the redesign that is a good thing but smacks of ‘Ah shur while we’re at it…’
Good job Triona…
Are the cards that were issued to the women who were affected by contaminated blood products similarly worded…or do they state Health (Amendment) Act 1996?