Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 June 2026
211. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that some GP practices are charging medical card holders between €20-40 for ear wax removal; whether this procedure is covered under the GMS scheme; the circumstances in which a charge may be applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44208/26]
View answerGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders.
Under the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess." The removal of ear wax is considered to be included under the GMS contract if the removal of wax forms part of the "proper and necessary treatment" required by an eligible patient.
If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes they have been incorrectly charged for a service by their GP, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office.
