Are You Aware of the Supports You May Be Entitled To?
We want to make sure our patients are aware of the financial and healthcare supports available to them.
Recent media coverage has highlighted that many people across Ireland may qualify for valuable supports but have not yet applied.
We would like to draw your attention to two schemes that may benefit you or someone in your household.
1. GP Visit Card – Could You Qualify for Free GP Visits?
Many people aged 18 to 69 may qualify for a GP Visit Card without realising it.
A GP Visit Card allows eligible patients to attend their GP without paying the standard consultation fee.
Importantly, you do not have to be unemployed or on a low income to qualify.
Eligibility takes account of your household income and certain expenses, including:
Mortgage or rent payments
Childcare costs
Travel to work expenses
Family circumstances and dependants
Even if you are working full-time, you may qualify.
We encourage all patients who currently pay privately for GP consultations to check their eligibility.
Check your eligibility and apply:https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/gp-visit-cards/gp-visit-card-8-to-69/
2. Free Solar Panels for Medically Vulnerable Households
Did you know that some households with medically vulnerable members may qualify for free solar PV panels?
The Solar PV Scheme for Medically Vulnerable Customers supports eligible homeowners where someone depends on electrically powered life-support equipment.
This may include equipment such as:
Home dialysis machines
Ventilators or respirators
Other qualifying life-support medical equipment
To qualify, the household must meet the scheme conditions, including registration under the life support category of the Priority Services Register with its electricity supplier.
Eligible homeowners are contacted through their electricity supplier. If you think this may apply to your household, we encourage you to contact your supplier to check your registration and eligibility.
Read more about the scheme:https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/press-releases/minister-obrien-welcomes-extension-of-solar-pv-scheme-for-medically-vulnerable-customers/
Our Message to Patients
At our practice, we believe that keeping patients informed about available supports is an important part of caring for our community.
We encourage you to take a few minutes to check whether you or a family member may qualify.
Please share this information with family, friends or anyone who may benefit.
Eligibility and approval for these schemes are determined by the relevant public bodies and service providers. The practice does not administer either scheme.