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Useful Links

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To find out about applying for maternity benefit, please click here: Maternity Benefit

To find out about applying for carer’s allowance, please click here:  Carer’s Allowance

To find out about applying for disability allowance, please click here:  Disability Allowance

In certain cases, medical and/or eyesight examinations are required for renewal of drivers licence. Please follow this link – www.ndls.ie or click here for the form that applies to you: Drivers Licence

For European Health Insurance Forms, please click here: European Health Insurance

All children under 6 years of age living in Ireland are entitled to a GP visit card. You can register your child for a GP visit card here. Under-6

Certain medical expenses can be claimed against your tax – please click here for further information: Medical Expense

To find out about applying for a medical card, please click here: Medical-cards

All adults over 70 years of age living in Ireland are entitled to a GP visit card. You can register for your GP visit card here.  Over 70’s

To apply for a record of your vaccinations from the HSE, please click here: HSE Vaccine

Please follow this link for the Change of Doctor form for Medical Card and GP Visit Card patients *

* If you are applying to join our practice, please complete a new patient registration form and contact our reception prior to completing the Change of Doctor form.

FAQ

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GP Services
Other Services
Healthcare Costs


GP Services

To make an appointment for any of the services we offer, please phone the Health Centre on 056-7768608 or email at info@ballyhalehealth.com
Some consultations need extra time, for example:
  • Pre employment medicals
  • Mirena/Implanon fitting
When making such an appointment, or if you believe there is another reason that you may need extra time, please inform the receptionist and she will allow for the time that you need.
Health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (World Health Organisation). If you are concerned about your own health and wellbeing, or that of somebody else close to you, we are here to help in any way that we can.
If you wish to see a particular doctor, we will do everything we can to facilitate this. It will usually be possible if your problem is not urgent but it may not be possible if you need to see a doctor at short notice.
Patients on long term regular medication can now request their repeat prescription directly from this website. You no longer have to send/drop a paper request form to the surgery. After receiving your prescription request we will forward your prescription to the pharmacy of your choice.

Click here to order your prescription.

Please allow 48 hours before contacting the pharmacy to arrange the collection of your medication.

If you are unwell (or having symptoms) and feel that you may need a blood test to investigate this, please contact the practice to make an appointment to speak with the doctor.

If you are well (or asymptomatic) and would like to have a blood test to screen for a condition (eg. a cholesterol check), please contact the practice to make an appointment to speak with the doctor first to best plan this together.

If you are on a medication that requires regular (eg. once yearly) blood test monitoring and you have previously been made aware of this, please make an appointment directly for your routine blood test. Further testing should be planned with your doctor.

If you have been advised by a treating Consultant that you require blood tests, please make an appointment directly for a blood test. Please bring the request form or a list of the required blood tests from your Consultant with you to your appointment.

All staff at Ballyhale Health Centre understand that some people have a fear of needles or blood which can make it difficult for them to have their blood taken for a test. Please let us know if you are anxious in any way or have other concerns and we will help you in any way that we can.

Please contact us if you have other questions about arranging a blood test.

We understand that getting test results as quickly as possible is important to you. It usually takes about a week for us to receive most results back from the laboratory or medical imaging department (some results may be quicker and some may take longer). We will contact you as soon as possible after receiving the results by text message or phone call depending on your preference. When you have the results, you can then discuss with us what needs to happen next regarding your health care. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the tests being done, please call us and we will follow up to find out why there is a delay.

If you would like to receive your results by text message please let us know.

  • Results of tests ordered by a consultant are sent back directly to the Consultant that has requested the test and not to the GP surgery. These are usually discussed at a follow up hospital appointment. To get these results, please contact the consultant’s secretary.
  • Cervical smear results are sent directly to your home address approximately 6 weeks after the test. Please contact the practice if you have not received these results after 6 weeks and we will follow up on these for you.

If you are requesting an Illness Certificate for the first time, you will need to phone the surgery to make an appointment to speak with a doctor.

If you are currently already receiving illness certificates you can either phone or email the surgery to request your certificate stating the date that it is due.

If you need a doctor to fill in a form on your behalf, please post/email the form to the surgery and request an appointment/phone call with the doctor. Please let us know if you need the form completed urgently. If you would like more information please call Ballyhale Health Centre.
For a full list of services offered in the practice please see the Services page.
For urgent care outside of practice opening hours (6pm to 9am Monday to Friday and 24 hours Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays), please contact Caredoc on 0818 300 365 or 059 913 8100
If you would like to join the practice as a new patient please complete the New Patient Registration Form here.
Vaccines are a very important part of staying healthy. All staff at Ballyhale Health Centre encourage and support all patients to get the recommended vaccinations at the appropriate time. If you or your child needs a vaccination please phone or email reception to make an appointment. For further details on your child's vaccination schedule click on this link: www.immunisation.ie

Ballyhale Health Centre is registered with Cervical Check. If you have an invitation letter from Cervical Check, if your screening test is due or if you missed your last test, please contact us to make an appointment for a cervical smear test.

It's best to book an appointment when you:

  • are mid - cycle ie 7 - 10 days after a period
  • have finished treatment for an unusual vaginal discharge or a pelvic infection, if you have one

You may have to delay having a cervical smear if you:

  • are pregnant now
  • have recently given birth
  • have recently had a miscarriage or abortion

To find out if you are eligible for this free service please have your PPS number available and click on link www.cervicalcheck.ie.

Your mental health is as important to us as your physical health and we will provide a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment to discuss any mental health concerns that you have.

We have access to a range of mental health services including online supports, counselling and psychology services, as well as child, adolescent and adult psychiatry services. We encourage you to speak to us if you are worried about your mental health and we will support you in deciding on the course of action that best suits your needs.

We are dedicated to caring for you at all times. If, because of serious ill health you are no longer able to come to the surgery for a medical consultation we will come to see you in your home. To arrange for us to see you at home please contact the Health Centre. If you are concerned that you or the person you are calling on behalf of may be seriously ill please inform the receptionist and we will respond as quickly as possible.
All of the GPs in Ballyhale Health Centre are highly trained and committed to giving you the very best care. However, we know that some medical conditions will need help from specific specialists or consultants. In such cases we will be very happy to suggest a Consultant that can give you that care. If you have concerns about your own health and think that you need to see a specialist please make an appointment to speak with a doctor and together we can decide who is the best person for you to see.
At Ballyhale Health Centre, we encourage each patient to share decisions that will affect their health. We understand that, at times, the information can be confusing or overwhelming. If you would like to get a second opinion to help you to make the best decision for yourself please ask us about it. We would be delighted to support you in any way that we can.
We keep careful, confidential and secure records of your medical consultations, test results, vaccinations and correspondence from other professionals involved in your care. If you would like to have a copy of your medical records, or a part there-of, please send us a letter or email giving us your written consent to release them, and we will work with you to best facilitate your request.
Your feedback is important to us. In order to provide you with the very best of care we need to hear from you. We welcome all of your comments, suggestions, complaints and compliments. We would like to know what went well for you and the things that didn’t go well.

Please get in touch with us using the link below (coming soon) or by leaving a message at reception. There is no need for you to include your name if you prefer not to.

 

Other Services

Cancer screening in Ireland is provided by the National Screening Service.

BreastCheck - free breast x-ray (mammography) for women aged 50-69 years every two years.
You will find further information and details on how to register for this service on www.breastcheck.ie

CervicalCheck- free smear tests for women aged 25-65 years.
To find out if you are eligible for this free service please have your PPS number available and click on link www.cervicalcheck.ie.

BowelScreen - free bowel screening for men and women aged 60-69 every two years. To find out more and to register for this service, please follow this link

For more information on any of these screening programmes you can visit their website or you can call Freephone 1800 45 45 55

Please contact reception at Ballyhale Health Centre by phone or email and we will provide you with contact details for your Public Health Nurse.
There is a community defibrillator situated in Billy's tearooms in Ballyhale. There is also a defibrillator in the Health Centre for emergency use during opening hours.
If you have been advised to get a nebulizer please phone or email reception. We will provide you with a letter from your doctor to request one. You then need to bring this letter into the County Clinic, James Green, Kilkenny and they will provide you with a nebulizer.
The stoma nurse plays a vital role in supporting patients who undergo stoma surgery. In the postoperative period the stoma nurse will meet with you and provide support and education on stoma care. They will give you their contact details before you leave the hospital. After discharge your stoma nurse will continue to be a support for you, your family and carers. The stoma nurses recommend that you contact them if you experience any difficulty with your stoma.

Healthcare Costs

You can pay for your consultation and other services in the following ways:
  • By phoning the surgery with your card details
  • By cash, card or cheque at reception
  • By posting a cheque to the surgery
Whichever way you choose to pay, we can post, email or give you a receipt. Thank you.
There are 2 types of medical card in operation under the GMS Scheme:

1. Full Medical Card 2. Doctor Visit Card

Eligibility for a medical card depends on your individual circumstances. When applying you will be required to provide information on your income, expenses, marital status and dependants. To find out more about applying for a Medical Card or to renew your Medical Card please click here.

The quickest way to get a medical card or GP visit card is to apply online here. Alternatively, medical card application forms can be obtained from reception or downloaded here.

GP visit card for children: All children under 6 years of age living in Ireland are entitled to a GP visit card. You can register your child for a GP visit card here.

GP visit card over the age of 70: All adults over 70 years of age living in Ireland are entitled to a GP visit card. You can register for your GP visit card here.

Under the Drugs Payment Scheme an individual or family will pay no more than €114 each calendar month for:
  • approved prescribed drugs and medicines
  • rental costs for a continuous positive airway
  • pressure (CPAP) machine
  • rental costs for oxygen
The drugs payment scheme is not means tested. For further information and to apply click here.
Certain procedures are covered by private health insurance schemes. These services include cryotherapy, joint injections, suturing and some other minor procedures. If you wish to avail of these services under your private insurance you should first contact your insurer to check if you are covered. If you have the necessary insurance cover, please bring your medical insurance details with you to your appointment and advise the reception staff on arrival. Routine consultations and other services are not normally covered by your health insurance. Contact your insurance company for more details.

Certain medical costs can be claimed against your tax. Click here for more information from the Revenue website on how to claim.

Your GMS Full Medical card or Doctor-Visit card entitles you to a range of medical services, free of charge, within the surgery. These services include consultations for both routine and urgent medical care, including out-of-hours consultations with Caredoc.
We do provide some services which are not covered by the GMS Full Medical card or Doctor-Visit card to card holders. The most common services requested which are not covered include:
  • Driving licence medical and driving licence eye test
  • Some vaccinations (including travel vaccinations)
  • Medical examinations or reports for legal purposes
  • Examinations and reports related to insurance policies
  • Pre-employment examinations
  • Examinations in relations to fitness to partake in sport
  • Some screening tests
Please see Schedule of Fees to see costs for these services.