Denis Naughten
Question:83 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if allergists are recognised by his Department; the plans, if any, he has to develop this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10602/99]
Written Answers. - Allergy Testing.
Allergy testing is carried out in a number of hospitals by professionals who are competent in the area and who proceed to manage the allergic conditions by a variety of recognised treatments. These staff are recognised within their own professional registration or accreditation systems.
I am aware that there are persons who provide allergy testing services on a commercial basis but I have no plans at present to formally recognise them.
The development of allergy services is primarily a matter for the health boards and allergy services are provided, as stated, at a number of hospitals.
Denis Naughten
Question:84 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the statistics, if any, his Department has in relation to the percentage of the population who are allergic to natural rubber latex; the procedures, if any, in place in the health service in relation to the management of persons with latex allergies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10603/99]
Denis Naughten
Question:85 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the studies, if any, funded by his Department into allergic reaction to latex; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10604/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together.
My Department does not collect statistical information in relation to this issue, nor has it funded studies into the matter. Should a patient be aware that he or she is allergic to natural latex, this should be brought to the attention of the personnel treating them, so that appropriate measures may be taken to guard against the occurrence of an allergic reaction.
Denis Naughten
Question:86 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of hospitals which stock non-latex kits for surgical procedures; if he will list these hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10605/99]
The information requested by the Deputy is not routinely collected by my Department. However, I have asked the chief executive officer of each of the health boards and managers of the voluntary hospitals to look into this matter and reply directly to the Deputy.
Denis Naughten
Question:87 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of deaths in the past five years caused by allergic reaction to latex; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10606/99]
Data on mortality are compiled by the Central Statistics Office in accordance with the World Health Organisation's international classification of diseases. The classification of cause is not sufficiently detailed to enable deaths due specifically to allergic reaction to latex to be separately identified. These deaths would be included in either of the general categories – dermatitis due to other chemical products including rubber or allergic reaction not otherwise specified. There were no deaths recorded under either of these categories in the years 1993 to 1997 inclusive. Data for 1998 are not yet available.