Written Answers Nos. 1111-1119
1111. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health when he intends to revise the classification of illnesses which come under the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48117/12]
View answer1112. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will include inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis on the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48118/12]
View answer1113. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will include polycythemia vera on the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48119/12]
View answer1173. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he intends to consider the addition of ulcerative colitis to the list of illness which qualify for support under the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48616/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1111 to 1113, inclusive, and 1173 together.
There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €132 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines. In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of general practice consultation.
1114. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the cessation in funding for the applied suicide intervention skills training course at NUI Galway; and if alternative funding will be found to ensure the resumption of this training course which helps combat the risk of suicide [48128/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1115. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the progress made in the extension of general practitioner cards to those persons on the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48130/12]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, GP care without fees within its first term of office. Primary legislation is required to give effect to Government commitment to introduce a universal GP service without fees.
Legislation to allow the Minister for Health to make regulations to extend access to GP services without fees to persons with prescribed illnesses is currently being drafted by this Department and the Office of the Attorney General and will be published shortly. Implementation dates and application details will be announced in due course.
1116. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo wil receive a decision on a medical card appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48144/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1117. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the shortage of nursing home beds in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [48153/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1118. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will review the decision to have the home help assistance on a Sunday removed from a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if he does not intend to do so, if he will ask for an assessment of the person's needs to be carried out to determine what assistance they may need. [48160/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1119. Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for Health when he expects the Walsh report on the practice of symphysiotomy here to be completed; when this report will be published; and the action he proposes to take following on from the report. [48179/12]
View answerMy first priority is to ensure that the women who have had this procedure have their health needs comprehensively and professionally met. In this regard, the HSE provides a range of services to women who continue to suffer the effects of having had this procedure. These services include the provision of medical cards, the availability of independent clinical advice and the organisation of individual pathways of care and the arrangement of appropriate follow-up.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department has commissioned an independent research report in relation to the practice of symphysiotomy in Ireland. The Research included a consultation process involving patient groups, health professionals and in particular the women who have experienced symphysiotomy. It is expected that this report will be presented to the Department in the near future.
It is intended that the research report will inform the Department’s overall consideration of this matter, including the consideration of any actions that may be required and possible legal implications. It would be premature for me to make any other comments at this stage on what actions might be taken, prior to giving full consideration to the recommendations of the report.
