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Tuesday, 6 Nov 2012

Written Answers Nos. 994 - 1014

Health Services Provision

Questions (994)

Denis Naughten

Question:

994. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown in each PCCC area of the number of children in each age category who are awaiting a child developmental check; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47376/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Procedures

Questions (995)

Martin Heydon

Question:

995. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the options available to patients who previously would have been able to access treatment under the national treatment purchase fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47377/12]

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Written answers

In July 2011, I announced changes to the remit of the NTPF - namely that it would move from working to largely outsource treatments for those waiting longest, to working with hospitals in a performance improvement capacity to improve access to scheduled care. The NTPF has been aligned with the Special Delivery Unit (SDU) and is now targeting waiting lists strategically and incentivising hospitals to manage their waiting times proactively. The NTPF capability is a core part of the SDU's performance improvement role in holding public hospitals to account.

The target for 2012, as set in the Health Service Executive (HSE) Service Plan 2012, is that no adult shall be waiting more than 9 months for an elective procedure. At the start of 2012 there were a total of 53,513 people who had to be treated by the 30 September 2012 to ensure that nobody was waiting more than 9 months for surgery. As of the 30 September 2012, 51,637 (96%) had been treated.

Should any patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (996)

Clare Daly

Question:

996. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is currently a four year waiting list to see a consultant with regard to possible tonsillectomy at Waterford Hospital and the action he will take in regarding same. [47393/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Departmental Funding

Questions (997)

Clare Daly

Question:

997. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the budget of Prosper Fingal is protected in next years overall departmental budget. [47394/12]

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Written answers

Pending completion of the national estimates, budgetary and service planning process for 2013 it is not possible to predict the service levels to be provided next year.

Medical Card Reviews

Questions (998)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

998. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if an examination of medical card holders is being carried out to ensure that it takes account of medical card holders who have emigrated; if he will explain the process if any, and the savings that will be made from the cancellation of cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47336/12]

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Written answers

Persons that are issued a medical card have a legal obligation under the Health Act 1970 to inform the HSE when they may no longer be entitled to hold a medical card. One requirement for the medical card is that the person is ordinarily resident in the State. Where a medical card is invalidated by the holder's circumstances, but the card holder has not informed the HSE, the State continues to make unnecessary capitation payments to General Practitioners under the General Medical Services' Scheme.

As part of its control strategy, the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) identified in the region of 120,000 card holders where there had been no activity recently. PCRS is carrying out a review to look at a subset of cards that have been inactive for a period of 24 months or longer. It has asked the cardholder to confirm that he or she continues to be ordinarily resident in Ireland. The results are awaited

Accident and Emergency Services Provision

Questions (999)

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

999. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the percentage of accident and emergency admissions that are drink related or due to the abuse of alcohol and the estimated cost of this to the health system. [47405/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Appointments Administration

Questions (1000, 1004)

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

1000. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the percentage of outpatients not turning up for scheduled outpatient appointments and not giving any notice; the estimated cost of this to the health service; if penalties financial or otherwise for a person not cancelling an outpatient appointment are being considered by the Government. [47406/12]

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Gerald Nash

Question:

1004. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health in view of the large number of patients who miss appointments in our acute hospital services, if he will consider introducing an e-mail and text messaging service in hospital outpatient departments; if he will provide any costings in relation to any proposals he is considering regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47431/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1000 and 1004 together.

Table 1 sets out a yearly sum of patients who missed scheduled appointments (did not attend) from 2008 to 2010, along with those who attended and total number of appointments booked (supplied by the HSE Business Intelligence Unit). The DNA rate is calculated by taking the number of missed appointments (DNAs) as a percentage of the total number of attendances and missed appointments combined. While hospitals returned activity, including DNA data across 2011, this data was not compiled / processed by BIU due to the roll out of the Outpatient Data Quality Programme.

Table 1. Outpatients - Attendances and DNAs 2008, 2009, 2010

Year

No of New Attendances

No of Return Attendances

No of Appointments Missed (DNA)

No of Return Appointments Missed (DNA)

All Appointments Booked

DNA as a % of all appointments booked

2008

860,910

2,428,007

142,404

414,295

3,845,616

14.5

2009

930,014

2,489,691

161,862

428,702

4,010,269

14.7

2010

999,978

2,583,312

168,067

429,051

4,180,408

14.3

RAW DATA SOURCE: HSE BIU

While acute hospitals currently have in place a variety of DNA (did not attend) policies, a standardised approach is now being developed as part of a national Outpatient Performance Improvement Programme. This Programme, developed by the Special Delivery Unit (SDU) will be implemented nationally over the period 2012 to 2015 to improve the provision of outpatient services. The Programme will address the management of DNAs as well as a range of other issues.

If a patient finds they cannot attend the appointment they have been given I would appeal to all such patients to inform the clinic concerned as soon as they know they cannot attend.

Community Care Provision

Questions (1001)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1001. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that a psychiatric unit (details supplied) in County Kerry is proposed for closure by the Health Service Executive, if he will provide an assurance that the existing residents will be able to continue to live in their community with the full support that they are entitled to from the HSE; the assurances that can be given for service users of the future who would be likely to require some form of residential assistance in the years ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47425/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Cancer Screening Programme

Questions (1002, 1003, 1150)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1002. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that enough funding is in place in 2013 and the years ahead to keep bowel cancer screening operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47427/12]

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Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1003. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if bowel cancer screening will be available to all persons aged between 55 and 74; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47428/12]

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Denis Naughten

Question:

1150. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when it is intended to commence the bowel screening programme; the hospitals approved to provide colonoscopies on foot of the initial screening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48381/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1002, 1003 and 1150 together.

Plans for the implementation of a national colorectal screening programme are at an advanced stage within the HSE-National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) and the programme will be introduced on a phased basis shortly. Live testing of the programme is now underway to ensure that all systems and processes operate effectively.

When fully implemented the programme will offer free screening to men and women aged 55-74 every two years. As 50% of cancers within this age group are found in people aged 60-69 the programme will begin with this latter age cohort (a population of approximately 500,000). It is anticipated that the first round will take up to three years to complete. Over time the phasing of the programme will allow development of colonoscopy capacity to cater for the full 55-74 year age population.

Fifteen candidate colonoscopy units have been identified around the country to support the screening programme. Each candidate unit has responsibility to take a number of actions to become a screening colonoscopy unit which include achieving or be well on the pathway to achieving NHS JAG accreditation, demonstrating capability of meeting the needs of the screening programme in accordance with its Quality Assurance Standards and maintaining service requirements for symptomatic patients within national targets.

The candidate colonoscopy units are:

Cavan General Hospital;

Connolly Hospital, Dublin;

Kerry General Hospital,Tralee;

Letterkenny General Hospital;

Louth County Hospital, Dundalk;

Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar;

Mercy University Hospital, Cork;

Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore;

Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Ennis;

Sligo General Hospital;

South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel;

St James’s Hospital, Dublin;

St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin;

The Adelaide and Meath Hospital Dublin incorporating the National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght;

Wexford General Hospital.

The process of approving the colonoscopy units is underway, and a key objective is to ensure that the screening programme does not interfere with the symptomatic colonoscopy services in these hospitals. The NCSS is confident that there will be adequate capacity to provide this important part of the programme.

I regard the colorectal screening programme as a national priority. I am pleased that it will shortly commence, and I am committed to supporting it as it develops.

Question No. 1004 answered with Question No. 1000.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (1005)

Niall Collins

Question:

1005. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card renewal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork [47452/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Departmental Bodies Reports

Questions (1006)

Seamus Kirk

Question:

1006. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the membership for the Implementation Group on Generic Substitution; if he will also outline the organisations involved within this working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47446/12]

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Written answers

The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 was published on the 13th of July 2012. The Bill completed its passage through the Seanad on Wednesday, the 19th of September, and is currently continuing its passage through the Dáil.

An Implementation Group on Generic Substitution and Reference Pricing has been established and it held its inaugural meeting on the 9th of August 2012. The Group is to meet with stakeholders in the near future.

The Group consists of officials from my Department as well as representatives from the Health Service Executive and the Irish Medicines Board.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (1007)

Niall Collins

Question:

1007. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card renewal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork [47453/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services Provision

Questions (1008)

Niall Collins

Question:

1008. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding respite care in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork [47455/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Medical Card Appeals

Questions (1009)

Niall Collins

Question:

1009. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange to have an appeal for a medical card heard in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork [47456/12]

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Written 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 (1010)

Niall Collins

Question:

1010. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card renewal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork [47458/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Ambulance Service Provision

Questions (1011)

Clare Daly

Question:

1011. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Arklow ambulance and hospital services that carry wheelchairs to St. Vincent's and Loughlinstown Hospital have stopped running and the action he will take regarding same [47392/12]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services Provision

Questions (1012)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

1012. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is finding it difficult to have their consultant complete an E112 form for them to have treatment in Poland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47466/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (1013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

1013. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the allocation of a discretionary medical card to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47388/12]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services Provision

Questions (1014)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

1014. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if transport will be provided to meet the needs of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47390/12]

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Written 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.

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