asked the Minister for Health if local authorities are empowered to repair or renew surgical appliances supplied to insured persons and persons in the middle-income group who have suffered from poliomyelitis; and, if not, whether he will take steps to so authorise the local authorities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Repair and Renewal of Surgical Appliances: Local Authorities Powers.
3.
Any person who has suffered from poliomyelitis is regarded as being entitled to free treatment under the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1948, until such time as the appropriate orthopaedic surgeon certifies that further treatment would not be of benefit. Health authorities have been notified that the scope of the regulations is not limited to institutional services and that all appliances necessary for treatment may be provided thereunder. It follows that health authorities may arrange for the repair or renewal of surgical appliances in such cases.
In any case where it is considered that further treatment under the Infectious Diseases Regulations would not be beneficial, the repair or renewal of surgical appliances would be governed by the provisions of the Health Acts, 1953 to 1958, and regulations made thereunder.
Persons who are holders of medical cards may in all cases be supplied free of charge with appliances and the repair or renewal of such appliances would be the responsibility of the health authority.
Appliances are normally supplied free of charge to members of the middle income group only as part of in-patient hospital treatment, and repair or renewal would be the responsibility of those persons; where hardship would, however, be involved it is open to such persons to seek assistance from their health authority for the supply, repair or renewal of an appliance.