Long Term Illness (LTI) (and Disability) Scheme.
The LTI scheme was set up in 1970. The LTI scheme provides drugs, medicines and certain approved appliances free of charge, irrespective of means. It is available for patients with any of the following conditions;
- Mental illness (Under 16 only)
- Mental Handicap
- Phenylketonuria
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Spina Bifida
- Hydrocephalus
- Haemophilia
- Cerebral Palsy
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Acute Leukaemia
- Parkinsonism
- Muscular Dystropies
If a patient is diagnosed with any of the above they should complete an application form for the LTI scheme. They also need their doctor or consultant to complete the application form. The doctor will certify the illness and will prescribe the required drugs, medicines or appliances. The doctor will also sign and stamp the application form. The patient then needs to get this form to their local HSE office which is Tivoli Road for Dun Laoghaire patients.
When the HSE approve the application they will issue the patient with their LTI book. The patient then brings this book to their local community pharmacy. The pharmacy will dispense the prescriptions in the LTI book. At present there is no charge for any items dispensed to patients under the LTI scheme. However, the patient will have to pay their GP as normal. The LTI prescription will have to be renewed with the GP every six months.
Your GP should have an application form for the LTI scheme. The application forms are also available from your local HSE office. At Dun Laoghaire Pharmacy, we can also give you an LTI application forms.
It is important to remember that your LTI card/book only covers medicines approved for your particular illness not all medicines.