IRELAND
RTE News
The Health Service Executive has been asked to reissue special medical cards to former residents of Magdalene Laundries and other institutions.
The existing card identifies the holder as qualifying for health services under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015.
Minister for Primary Care, Social Care and Mental Health Kathleen Lynch said she has asked the HSE to make the change, after concerns were expressed that the cards in their current format unnecessarily identified the women, by including the name of the Act on the card.
Ms Lynch said it was never intended to cause any offence or embarrassment and the cards will be reissued in a more anonymised format.
Speaking in the Dáil, Independent TD Clare Daly said the medical cards were “branded” and described the layout as a breach of privacy.
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