Written Answers Nos. 626-637
626. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a helicopter landing pad in the grounds of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, County Louth, or immediately adjacent to the hospital, including the cost of its provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1026/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he should contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
627. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of respite care which has been removed from a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1046/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office, which will follow the matter up with the HSE.
628. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health why Alzheimer's is not included on the list of illnesses that allow a person to qualify under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will extend the list to include Alzheimer's or any other medical conditions. [1047/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe long-term illness scheme (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the LTI Scheme, which are as follows: Acute Leukaemia; Mental handicap; Cerebral Palsy; Mental Illness (in a person under 16); Cystic Fibrosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Diabetes Insipidus; Muscular Dystrophies; Diabetes Mellitus; Parkinsonism; Epilepsy; Phenylketonuria; Haemophilia; Spina Bifida; Hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the LTI Scheme.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
Under the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the HSE, unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.
629. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for an operation for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1050/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he should contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
630. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the status of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is on a waiting list for an appointment to see a consultant. [1052/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. If a patient's general practitioner considers that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he should contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
632. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the referral of a person (details supplied) to Kerry County Hospital for a procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1059/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he should contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
633. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has plans to close residential units (details supplied) in County Westmeath; why this decision is being taken; what steps have been factored in to assess the impact on the mental health of a number of very elderly and vulnerable residents residing at that institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1061/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, she can contact my Private Office, which will follow the matter up with the HSE.
634. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his response to the master of the Rotunda Hospital setting down conditions for its relocation to Connolly Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1073/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra635. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if it is expected that the name and brand of the Rotunda Hospital will be preserved in its proposed relocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1074/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra636. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the Rotunda Hospital will retain its own board following its proposed relocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1075/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra637. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the relocation of the Rotunda Hospital is conditional on the upgrading of services at Connolly Hospital akin to what is currently available at the Mater hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1076/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 634 to 637, inclusive, together.
Last summer, I announced the relocation of two of the three Dublin maternity hospitals, following a review by my Department. The Rotunda Hospital will be co-located with adult acute services at Connolly Hospital campus, Blanchardstown, while the Coombe will be tri-located at St. James’s campus with adult acute services and the new national children’s hospital. Co-location of maternity services with adult services provides mothers with access to a full range of medical and support services, should the need arise. Tri-location with paediatric services enhances the clinical benefits for the sickest new-born babies. It is envisaged that the name and brand of the Rotunda Hospital will be preserved.
With regard to the other specific issues raised by the Deputy, these are matters for the Health Service Executive to consider in collaboration with the Rotunda. Therefore, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he should contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
