Lots of twists and turns on road to getting replacement health card

SIR, Last June, I lost my cards in London. bank cards, travel pass and others were easily replaced. Not so the EU Health Card.

Because I was asking for a replacement, I had to go in person to an HSE office rather than apply online. I sent an email asking if there was an office in Killarney. No response. The website lists an address on Denny St, Tralee. I went and found nothing there except closed up buildings.

A man closing the bank gate at the end of the lane told me the office might be across from the Dominican Church. I went. This is the social services office. The receptionist there told me the HSE office was near the council offices but she thought it was only open in the mornings. A friend later told me that the HSE is in the building in front of the hospital.

I made another trip to Tralee. The building in front of the hospital has no signage so I inquired at the hospital reception. Yes, the HSE is in the front building so I backtracked and went in.

I told a woman at reception what I needed and was told that “it will depend on when your card expires.”

She looked it up. “It expires November 2019 so I cannot give you a replacement,” she told me.

“But it is lost.”

“I can give you a temporary card that is good for two months.”

“I need a replacement. How do I get one?” “I can’t do that.”

After a few more back and forth exchanges, she said: “You would need to send a letter...” and she handed me a piece of paper and dictated an address.

“But that’s this building! I am supposed to go home, write a letter and send it here?”

“There is a table there. You could write your request, sign and date it and give it to me.”

I wrote out, signed and dated my request and handed it to her. I also complained about how long it had taken since my first email to the HSE.

“You should have come here first,” she said.

“The website gives a Denny St. address.” “We’ve been here 11 years,” she told me. “I am not from Tralee and there is absolutely no signage with name or hours on this building.”

My replacement card is supposed to show up in 10 working days. I sure hope so as I am not anxious to deal with the HSE again anytime soon.

Sincerely,

Claudia White, Mangerton View,

Killarney.