Written Answers Nos. 248-258
248. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50276/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
249. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card was refused in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [50277/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
250. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an application for a medical card. [50294/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
251. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health the reason the promised podiatry post at Wexford General Hospital, sanctioned in April 2012, will now not be filled due to the Health Service Executive recruitment embargo.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50295/12]
View answer261. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the proposed podiatry post at Our Ladys Hospital, having regard to the fact that similar positions have been filled in Dublin, Galway and Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50338/12]
View answer267. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he will give a commitment to have the podiatry post filled in Waterford Regional Hospital as it has been in hospitals in Dublin, Galway and Limerick; if he will acknowledge that the filling of this post is critical to tackling diabetes foot disease in the community and keeping persons with this health complication out of hospital, healthy and mobile; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50430/12]
View answer269. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the promised podiatry post at Kerry General Hospital in April 2012, when it will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50446/12]
View answer273. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will fill the podiatry post at Mullingar Hospital, County Westmeath, as sanctioned in April 2012, the post was planned as part of the national Footcare Programme to tackle the increase in diabetes related foot ulcers and amputations, this post is critical to tackling diabetes foot disease in the community and in keeping people with this health complication out of hospital, health and mobile; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50551/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 251, 261, 267, 269 and 273 together.
As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
252. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health in view of the upcoming world pressure ulcer day if he will supply the number of incidences of pressure ulcers in all acute hospitals for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 [50305/12]
View answerThe detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. My Department will collate the information and I will be in communication with the Deputy when the data is available.
253. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 24 October 2012, if any members of his Department or any Irish officials will be attending the COP5 fifth session of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO framework Convention on Tobacco Control which is due to take place in Seoul on 12 to 17 November 2012; if so, if he will provide details of this delegation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50307/12]
View answerIreland played a significant role in drafting the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Treaty which was ratified by the State in November 2005. Ireland is fully committed to its implementation and has been an active participant in the Conference of Parties to the FCTC.
Mr Chris Fitzgerald from the Health Promotion Unit of my Department is attending the fifth Conference of the Parties in Korea. Mr Norman O'Grady from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners is also in attendance.
254. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1137 if he will confirm the details of the annual leave agreement regarding holiday entitlements for non consultant hospital doctors between the Health Service Executive and the Irish Medical Organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50309/12]
View answerI welcome the agreement reached between the Health Service Executive and the Irish Medical Organisation on annual leave with the assistance of the LRC on 18 October 2012. Specifically the agreement provides that:
NCHDs who are required to undertake on-call on site or off-site in addition to their 39 hour week will receive a total leave allowance of 16 working days for the January to July rotation and 17 working days for the July to January rotation. This means that NCHDs who are required to undertake on-call are being granted their public holiday entitlements in advance;
NCHDs who work 39 hours on a Monday to Friday basis and do not participate in on-call will receive 12 working days for the January to July rotation and 12 working days for the July to January rotation and also each of the public holidays as a paid day off on the day of the holiday. If an NCHD who is not required to undertake on-call is on annual leave for the week incorporating a public holiday, 4 days annual leave is recorded. If such NCHDs are rostered on site or on-call on a public holiday he/she will receive a day off at another time; and
GP Registrars working in the community are to have their previous entitlement of three weeks annual leave per 6 month period reinstated.
255. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the daily accommodation rate at the South Infirmary Hospital, County Cork; the way the cost is calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50315/12]
View answerPrivate in-patient charges are directed by the Minister under section 55 (1) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended.) Currently, the Minister directs the following maintenance charges under this section:
|
Hospital Category |
Private Accommodation |
Semi-Private Accommodation |
Day-care |
|
|
1 |
HSE Regional Hospitals, Voluntary & Joint Board Teaching Hospitals |
€1,046 |
€933 |
€753 |
|
2 |
HSE County Hospitals Voluntary Non-Teaching Hospitals |
€819 |
€730 |
€586 |
|
3 |
HSE District Hospitals |
€260 |
€222 |
€193 |
The private in-patient daily charge is €75, subject to a maximum payment of €750 in any period of 12 consecutive months.
The 2010 Value for Money and Policy Review of the Economic Cost and Charges Associated with Private and Semi-Private Treatment in Public Hospitals reviewed the current per diem costing methodology for calculating charges. It recommended the introduction of case-based charges using Diagnostic Related Groups for private and semi-private patients in public hospitals. The Hospital Financing Subgroup, established under the auspices of the UHI Implementation Group, is currently preparing draft policy proposals on this issue. These policy proposals must be developed in such a way as to ensure consistency with the Programme for Government commitment to introduce a 'Money Follows the Patient' funding system for public hospitals and, ultimately, the commitment to a single-tier system supported by universal health insurance.
256. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health if patients that have paid PRSI are charged the Government in-patient levy when staying in hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50316/12]
View answerThe current statutory public in-patient charge is €75 per day, subject to a maximum of €750 in any period of 12 consecutive months. The statutory in-patient charge also applies to day cases. A number of categories of individuals are exempt from the above charge, including those with full eligibility.
The payment of PRSI contributions by an individual is not a relevant factor when determining if an individual is exempt from a charge.
257. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the date on which he intends to submit the paper proposing a package of supports for those children and adolescents suffering with narcolepsy and additional medical complications following vaccination with Pandemrix which was to be submitted prior to the summer recess of Dáil Éireann and again in September and October; if the paper has been prepared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50321/12]
View answer258. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when the paper will be presented to the Oireachtas regarding patients with narcolepsy after vaccinations with Pandemrix; the reason for the delay in the presentation of the paper since July 2012; when he will re-establish communication with SOUND; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50325/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 258 together.
My Department is working closely with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Education and Skills to address the needs of those affected by narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination.
The HSE provides a range of services and supports to those affected including access to rapid diagnosis, clear treatment pathways, temporary medical cards and reimbursement of expenses incurred. Multi-disciplinary assessments which allow for the appropriate individualised health and educational supports to be put in place have commenced. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is also engaging with the HSE and with the individual schools and parents of children concerned to identify and provide educational supports for the children and adolescents affected.
My Department is considering all other possible supports which may need to be put in place for those affected. Any such supports require my approval and the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
I would like to assure the Deputy that this matter continues to be a priority for my Department.
