Vol. 483 No. 3
216 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will instruct the liaison officer in the Western Health Board to issue a cheque to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, who is suffering from hepatitis C, to cover hardship needs in view of the fact that Deputy Ring can get no reply to correspondence in this regard. [20398/97]
The Health (Amendment) Act, 1996, which came into effect in September 1996, provides that a health board shall make available without charge to persons who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the board, have contracted hepatitis C directly or indirectly from the use of human immunoglobulin-anti-D, or the receipt within the State of another blood product or a blood transfusion and to persons of such other classes (if any) as may be prescribed, the following services: (a) general practitioner medical and surgical services, in relation to all medical conditions, provided by registered medical practitioners (within the meaning of the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978) chosen by the persons, (b) drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances, (c) the nursing service specified in section 60 of the Act of 1970, (d) the service specified in section 61 of the Act of 1970, (e) dental, ophthalmic and aural treatment and dental, optical and aural appliances, (f) counselling services in respect of hepatitis C, and (g) such other services as may be prescribed.
Each health board has appointed a liaison officer to ensure the smooth operation of the delivery of services under the Act and to serve as a contact point for individuals and with the various interest groups whose members avail of services under the Act. I understand that, in this case, the liaison officer concerned has replied directly to the Deputy's representations of 3 November. The person concerned has recently applied for and been issued with a card showing eligibility for services under the Act and the liaison office will be writing to the person concerned giving details of the services available.
I also understand that the person concerned made a claim on 14 November 1997 from the exgratia scheme administered by the Blood Transfusion Service Board. This claim was approved and a cheque for £244 was issued on 19 November.
