asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to encourage early detection through bone screening in view of the high incidence of osteoporosis, the debilitating effects of this disease and the high costs of providing medical treatment to those who suffer from it; if he will give consideration to making bone density x-rays available free of charge to general medical services patients as a preventative measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23948/98]
Other Questions. - Detection of Osteoporosis.
I have no proposal to introduce a bone screening programme at this stage. However, all general medical services patients are entitled to acute medical services free of charge and bone density x-rays are carried out for public patients. My Department's health promotion unit has recognised the important role of education in the prevention of osteoporosis and has given financial support to the Irish Osteoporosis Society to facilitate its programme of public awareness of the issue.
Does the Minister accept that approximately one in four women over the age of 50 suffer from osteoporosis and that many people discover they have this disease only when they fracture a bone? Does he accept it makes good sense from a social and an economic point of view to introduce a screening programme to detect people at risk of osteoporosis at an early stage?
I accept the Deputy's statistics, although I am not aware of them. There is no proposal to introduce a bone screening pro-gramme at this stage. Perhaps it could be examined in the context of a number of screening programmes with which we are trying to proceed at present, particularly in relation to the cancer strategy. I do not have evidence available to me today which suggests such a programme should be a priority. I do not have any more information than what I have given the Deputy.
It is unfortunate the Minister does not have that information and that he is not prepared for this question. As regards GMS patients availing of bone density screening, is he aware that one of the principal centres for such screening is the Rotunda Hospital and that it has suspended its operations because the two doctors concerned are moving to new posts in January? Will the Minister give a commitment to deal with this problem as soon as possible and to ensure the service at the Rotunda Hospital, which serves the north side of Dublin, continues uninterrupted?
I will check into that matter. I was not aware of the issue the Deputy raised nor was it brought to my attention. The Minister of State, Deputy Moffatt, has indicated that he understands the Mater Hospital has sought one of these pieces of machinery. I will inquire about the situation at the Rotunda Hospital and revert to the Deputy.
Can the Minister indicate how he will respond to the Mater Hospital's request?
I cannot indicate that because it is an issue which has just been brought to my attention by the Minister of State, Deputy Moffatt. I will have to check the position in the Department and supply the Deputy with the factual information.
We may be more concerned about this matter because we are more likely than the Minister to develop this condition. He said public patients are able to avail of this type of screening. There are screening facilities in Trinity College which are available to private patients, but I am not sure if they are available to public patients. Will the Minister confirm that this service is provided for public patients and will continue to be provided for them?
I am informed bone density X-rays are carried out for public patients at St. Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park. Deputy Shortall suggested such facilities are also available in the Rotunda Hospital, but I am not aware of that and information on that is not immediately available to me. I will have to check the position and come back to the Deputies who expressed concern about this matter.
On a point of information, it is important to point out that there is no screening programme in place at present.
We cannot have a point of information on Question Time.
It is important that it should be brought to the attention of the Minister that there is no screening programme in place at the moment.
There are other ways of doing that. This is Question Time and I call Question No. 26.
Given that the Minister did not know that, it is important I should bring it to his attention.
It is appropriate to ask a question to elicit information from the Minister. It is not appropriate to make statements on Question Time.