MALLORCA TODAY - Introduction of new health card criticised

The introduction of the new Balearics health card, which costs each patient ten euros to renew, has been criticised because of the lack of organisation and processing which requires patients to have to go back and forth from their health centre to their bank in order to pay the charge, returning to the health centre with confirmation and then having to go through the process all over again. (It sounds remarkably like the farcical way in which residency applications are dealt with.) The lack of planning and the swiftness of the introduction of the card without the full system having been implemented correctly is compounded by the fact that the actual cost of the card is a mere 1.46 euros.

MALLORCA TODAY - New health card for Balearics to be introduced in January

As previously reported, the new health card for the Balearics, for which patients will be required to pay ten euros, is to provisionally be introduced at the start of January 2012. Its full introduction will be in May. Renewal of the card will necessitate payment for a card that will include patient data and a photo. Early renewal will allow for a 50% discount. A question regarding this is one for British residents who cannot currently hold identity residency cards. As the health card will include a photo and identity information, would they not be able to use the card as they might a regular identity card?