I am sure you have all become aware of the newspaper items referring to the MMDNA. I have been trying to get some answers as to how the situation affects our members.
MMDNA is no longer an entity. Anyone requiring assistance at home will have to be referred either by the hospital, in the case of discharge, or by their local doctor. This referral will go to ComCare, a government run facility, who in turn will assess the request and decide accordingly and pass to the provider. There will be strict criteria used, one of which is that the individual requesting assistance, be they of non-Maltese Nationality, will have to have Reciprocal Health (RH card)or a Certificate of Entitlement before they will be considered. Also they must have their e residence. Anybody not having an e residence document will not qualify unless they have private health cover. Also if they are in anyway mobile they will be asked to go to the local clinic or doctor.
As MMDNA has ceased before the end of the financial year our members are entitled to a refund, i.e. 1/6thof the annual subscription of €2.33, approximately 38 cents. Those members who have re-joined already for 2016 and included the €2.33 will have this sum refunded in total. As you will realise there will be a lot of work to be carried out to establish who is entitled to how much so please be patient and wait until early next year before all paperwork will be completed. It is envisaged that members wishing to receive their refunds, be it 38 cents or €2.33 + 38 cents, will be asked to go to their Group Coffee Mornings in order to collect the money. A cut-off date will be given after which monies will not be available. Should you wish to you may leave the money in your Group funds for their use. It will not be viable to write and post cheques to members for such a small sum, hence the request to go to Group meetings.
If you have any queries please contact me and I will try to answer them.
Best wishes
Jay Jones
Chairman, BRA
