Finian McGrath
Question:212. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied). [45572/12]
View answerHealth Services Provision
Questions (212)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.
Health Services Provision
Questions (213)
Arthur Spring
Question:213. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current waiting time to access early intervention services for children in the Tralee area, County Kerry, is approximately seven months; the actions that have been taken to reduce the waiting time to access these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45380/12]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Clinical Indemnity Scheme
Questions (214)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:214. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that commercial insurance is not available for private midwives here; if due to the implementation of EU Directives for all healthcare workers to have insurance by 2013 that it will be illegal for midwives to provide breast-feeding support in the community if they are not Health Service Executive employees; the efforts he is making to resolve this situation; if he will confirm that obstetricians in Mount Carmel, Dublin 14, provide care through a private enterprise access professional indemnity insurance through the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45381/12]
View answerWritten answers
The State provides indemnity through the Clinical Indemnity Scheme in respect of the clinical activities of public health doctors, nurses, community midwives and other community based clinical staff providing services on behalf of the HSE. This cover includes HSE midwifery led community schemes and voluntary hospital maternity services.
The availability of indemnity/insurance cover in the commercial market is solely a matter for the commercial companies concerned. All private hospitals must purchase indemnity on the commercial market to cover the services provided. However, adequate indemnity in relation to the Mount Carmel obstetric services is not available in the commercial market. Accordingly an agreement is in place with Mount Carmel Hospital to supplement the cover purchased by the hospital in relation to its obstetric services. Mount Carmel is the only private obstetric unit in the country.
In relation to breastfeeding support, the HSE currently provides support to breastfeeding women through the Public Health Nursing Service as well as through Community midwives operating the early transfer home community services in Dublin and other areas around the country for postnatal women. Voluntary breastfeeding organisations such as Cuidiu and La Leche League also provide breastfeeding support in the community through trained breastfeeding counsellors and leaders and they generally do not hold a midwifery or nursing qualification.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (215)
Robert Troy
Question:215. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide adequate support to the children who have acquired narcolepsy as a result of being inoculated against swine flu; in view of the growing evidencethat exists to prove that this vaccine has detrimental effects on children's health; if he will ensure that the necessary services are provided for them by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45383/12]
View answerWritten answers
Following reports from Northern European countries in 2010 of an increase in the incidence of narcolepsy among children/adolescents who were vaccinated with Pandemrix®, (one of the vaccines used during the H1N1 2009 pandemic) my Department immediately responded to ensure that through the HSE, affected persons in Ireland were identified, were facilitated with rapid access to diagnosis and treatment and provided with all other supports required. My Department also engaged with the Department of Education and Skills to ensure that all available educational supports were employed as required.
Additionally, the Chief Medical Officer of my Department convened an Expert Group to examine and report on the issue. In April 2012 the report of the National Narcolepsy Study Steering Committee was published.The study found that there was a 13 fold higher risk of narcolepsy in children/adolescents vaccinated with the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccine compared with unvaccinated children/adolescents. Causality has yet to be established. The report is available on my Department's website.My Department continues to work closely with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Education and Skills to address all the needs of those affected by narcolepsy with symptom onset following receipt of pandemic vaccines. The HSE is providing a range of services and supports including; clear treatment pathways, temporary medical cards and reimbursement of expenses incurred. Multi-disciplinary assessments are in also in place which allows for appropriate individualised health and educational supports.The Department of Education and Skills is also engaged with the HSE and with the individual schools and parents of children concerned, to identify and provide all appropriate educational supports for the children and adolescents affected.
A Memorandum for Government setting out the full response to this issue is being prepared for submission in the coming weeks. I would like to assure the Deputy that this matter continues to be a priority for my Department.
Health Services Provision
Questions (216)
Ciaran Lynch
Question:216. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive necessary eye treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45403/12]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (217)
Pat Deering
Question:217. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a medical card decision will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow [45406/12]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (218)
Pat Deering
Question:218. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a medical card decision will issue to persons (details supplied) [45407/12]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Products
Questions (219)
Billy Kelleher
Question:219. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason for the disposal of unused medicines properly campaign organised by the Health Service Executive; the length of time that this campaign has been running; if he will provide details of where this campaign has both operated and is currently in operation since its initiation; if he will provide information on the volume and an estimate of the retail monetary value of all such medicines collected by the HSE in each of its areas individually; the amount this campaign has cost the HSE to operate since inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45413/12]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has, from time to time, run campaigns in conjunction with community pharmacies to enable people to return out of date or unused medicines for disposal. This initiative called the DUMP Campaign ("Dispose of Unused Medication Properly") was originally established in 2002. By way of example, the HSE South has operated the DUMP campaign successfully since 2007 and recently reminded the public of the service which is available to patients in Cork and Kerry.
I have asked the HSE for information on the costs of running the scheme as well any information which is available on the volume and estimated monetary value of the medicines collected by the HSE. I will forward this information directly to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.
Health Insurance Company Payments
Questions (220)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:220. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the amount of money due from health insurance companies to Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 for the years 2009; 2010; 2011 and to date in 2012; the steps being taken to recover the money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45414/12]
View answerWritten answers
I am informed by the Health Service Executive that the total amount of money due from health insurance companies to Beaumont Hospital from 2009 to date in 2012 is €8,364,461. My Department has been working with the main health insurers and has agreed in principle a system of improved cash-flow and accelerated payments, which will provide a once-off cash flow benefit in 2012 in the region of €125m for the health system. The detailed arrangements for the accelerated payments are being finalised with the health insurers at present.
The HSE is continuing a drive to reduce the time taken to submit claims to private health insurance companies. A key element in this drive includes the implementation of an electronic claims management system in its hospitals. This system will address the deficiencies of the paper based process and will also ensure that standardised work practices are implemented across hospitals.
Health Services Staff Issues
Questions (221)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:221. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of health care assistants that will retire in September, October, November and December 2012 in Community Care Area 8; the number of posts that will be replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45415/12]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Services Staff Issues
Questions (222)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:222. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health when he expects to appoint a Director of the National Suicide Prevention Office; the number of persons that have been interviewed for this post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45416/12]
View answerWritten answers
The National Office for Suicide Prevention which was established by the HSE in 2005 is part of the internal organisation of that body and the appointment of a Director is a matter for the HSE. On that basis the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Services
Questions (223)
Billy Kelleher
Question:223. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Longford will be assessed for a hip replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45431/12]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.