Medical Services & Entitlement

Medical needs

The health needs of each asylum seeker are provided for by the Health Board in the area in which they reside,  and are provided free to those who have a medical card.  A medical card is issued by the local Health Board and enables you to receive the following free of charge:

  1. General Practitioners services
  2. Prescribed drugs and medicines (with some exceptions)
  3. In-patient public hospital services
  4. Outpatient services
  5. Dental, optical and aural services
  6. Medical appliances
  7. Maternity and infant care services and grants
  8. Child care and psychological services for those traumatised by torture, rape or other critical life experiences.

If a person does not have a medical card he/she will be asked to pay for certain services including drugs and medicines.

Many services provided by the Health Board have waiting lists,  however priority is given based on medical need.

If you are pregnant,  your General Practitioner and the local Public Health Nurse should be advised.  If you are parents of small children you should advise the Public Health Nurse (PHN) at your local Health Centre accordingly and she will give you help and advice during the early years of your child's development.

Medical card

The Community Welfare Officer or the local Citizens Information Centre (CWO) will also be able to provide information as to where you can get an Application form for a Medical Card.  They are generally available from the local Health Centre. Under the Medical Card Scheme, you may have a choice of General Practitioner or may be allocated one, depending on local circumstances.

Entitlement to a Medical Card is means based, therefore your assets and income (from all sources) are taken into account.  If you are not entitled to a Medical Card you can continue to access general hospital services, many of which are free of charge.  However you will have to pay for other services such as GP, dental and optical services, etc.

Medical screening

All asylum seekers are entitled to free medical screening service which is completely confidential and independent of your application for a declaration as a refugee, the outcome of which will not affect your application in any way.

This service includes screening for certain infectious diseases such as TB, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV and checking the vaccination needs of yourself and your family.

It is in your interest to avail of this service and you are advised to do so as it will identify and treat those who are ill and it will provide protection against infectious diseases through immunisation. Any necessary follow-up medical treatment will also be provided,  for you and your family,  free of charge under the medical card scheme and you can be assured that all treatment provided will be in complete confidence.

Full details of how to access this service are available at all Reception Centres and Accommodation Centres throughout the country.