Written Answers Nos. 660-683
661. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an operation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52533/12]
View answerThe management of inpatient and day-case waiting lists for patients awaiting public health care is based on the principle that after urgent and cancer patients are treated, then clinically assessed routine patients should be seen in chronological order (i.e. longest waiter first). Should the 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. In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
662. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will list all the areas in the country in which the seven nights of respite care allowing carer's to take a break has been reduced to six nights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52551/12]
View answer663. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the seven nights of respite care allowing carer's to take a break will be reintroduced in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52552/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 662 and 663 together.
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
664. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health if processing of the medical card application for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be expedited [52553/12]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
666. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if he will expedite same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52582/12]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
668. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if the qualifying criteria for the motorised transport grant should be amended to include persons with disabilities who need to buy suitable transport in order to permit them to return to full time education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52587/12]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that there are no proposals to expand the qualifying criteria for the motorised transport grant.
669. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the current protocol for the transfer of social workers within the Health Service Executive from one HSE area to another; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52606/12]
View answerAs the employment of social workers, including the terms and conditions of staff transfers, is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
670. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1802 of 18 September 2012, if he will provide details of the exploration of options undertaken by representatives of the Western Trust Area and local Health Service Executive management with a view to supporting the delivery of services at Lifford Community Hospital, County Donegal, in conjunction with the Western Trust Area; the outcome of this process and the likely impact on the retention of Lifford Community Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52607/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
671. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when posts sanctioned in April 2012 in the area of footcare/podiatry will be filled at the following hospitals, Sligo General Hospital, Cavan General Hospital, Our Lady's Drogheda, Mullingar Regional Hospital, St. Luke's Kilkenny, Kerry General Hospital, Wexford General Hospital, Waterford Regional Hospital, Beaumont and The Mater; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52703/12]
View answerThe purpose of the HSE National Clinical Programme for Diabetes is to define the way diabetic Clinical Services should be delivered, resourced and measured. A clinician has been appointed to lead on the development of the programme. The targets include reducing foot ulcers, reducing lower limb amputations and reducing hospital costs in patients with diabetes. In this context, the National Diabetes Programme submitted a business case for the 2011 HSE service plan and was successful in recruiting 16 extra podiatrists across the country to manage diabetic foot care. In relation to the particular matter raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
672. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to plans the Health Service Executive may have for the future or continued use a premises (details supplied) in Dublin 7 as a drug treatment facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52719/12]
View answerI understand from the HSE that the premises referred to by the Deputy was until recently used as a mental health hostel. The question of its future use is a matter for the HSE to decide upon and in this regard, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.
673. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Health if he has been provided with any further update from the Health Service Executive National Director of Estates on the use of the HSE has for a premises (details supplied) in Dublin 7; the additional progress has been made in advancing this situation since June 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52720/12]
View answerManagement of the Health Service Executive property portfolio is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Executive for direct reply.
674. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Health the reason non CF Bronchiectasis is not included on the long term illness scheme; if there are any future plans to include this condition in the scheme; the financial supports are available to sufferers of non CF bronchiectasis in terms of prescription and medicine costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52727/12]
View answer707. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if there is scope for designation of a condition (details supplied) as a long-term illness, for its inclusion in the relevant scheme; his view of the span of the illness for its sufferers [52962/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 674 and 707 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.
675. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical cared in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [52735/12]
View answerAny announcements relating to Budget 2013 will be made by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
676. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has found a new location for senior citizens to attend following the closure of a day centre (details supplied) in Dublin 5 a number of weeks ago; if not, when he expects the HSE to find an alternative suitable location for old age pensioners to attend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52740/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply
677. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the names of the external consultants brought in by the Health Service Executive from the UK to assist Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, in tackling its waiting times in their accident and emergency department; the amount paid to each consultant to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52741/12]
View answerIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to him in this matter.
679. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the budget for a residential service (details supplied) in County Cork will be cut again in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52747/12]
View answerPending 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. In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
680. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health If he will consider extending the rapid access clinics that were rolled out to help early detection of prostate cancer to other acute hospitals across the country; if he will take into consideration the success of the new clinics where one in three men referred for rapid assessment of prostate cancer were diagnosed with the disease, thus ensuring that these men are having their cancer diagnosed and treated earlier, which should lead to better outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52761/12]
View answerThe HSE-National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) is responsible for the implementation of the National Cancer Control Strategy which aims to achieve better cancer prevention, early detection and treatment that maximise survival through a co-ordinated national service, based on international evidence and best practice. Under the Programme there are four designated cancer control networks and eight cancer centres nationally.
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Network |
Cancer Centres |
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Beaumont Hospital |
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HSE Dublin – North East |
Mater Misericordiae Hospital |
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St James’s Hospital |
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HSE Dublin – Mid Leinster |
St Vincent’s University Hospital |
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Cork University Hospital |
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HSE South |
Waterford Regional Hospital |
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UCH Galway (satellite: Letterkenny) |
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HSE West |
Limerick Regional Hospital |
The Programme is working to ensure that designated cancer centres for individual tumour types have adequate case volumes, expertise and concentration of multidisciplinary specialist skills. By September this year, 1,804 men had attended the Rapid Access Clinics, with 750 men diagnosed. The service fast tracks patients into the system ensuring that men are provided with their diagnosis within an appropriate timeframe. For the vast majority of men who do not have cancer, that short timeframe reduces the anxiety that any waiting period involves. Men who are diagnosed have their treatment options discussed and considered by an expert multidisciplinary team who ensure that the patient is given all the options and all the information on the best approach to be taken.
681. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health his plans for the establishment of multi disciplinary clinics for the treatment of Huntington’s Disease in line with best international practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52773/12]
View answerHuntington's Disease (HD) is a genetic, neurological disorder and is classified as a rare disease. The supports provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to people with HD involve a multidisciplinary team approach to the provision of health and personal supports. This incorporates assisted living services, including Personal Assistant Services, Aids and Appliances and hospital, primary care and community services. The HSE recognises the valuable contribution of the Huntington's Disease Association of Ireland (HDAI) and approved a grant of just over €68,000 for 2012, to support the work of the organisation. The HDAI is a member of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland and the Disability Federation of Ireland. Both umbrella organisations provide support to the HDAI and are supported by the State through funding from the HSE. I have referred the Deputy's query concerning the establishment of multidisciplinary clinics for the treatment of Huntington's Disease to the HSE for consideration and direct reply to the Deputy.
682. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons in Laois/Offaly have a wait of at least two years to have a hearing test; the steps he will take in order to improve matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52784/12]
View answer683. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons in Laois/Offaly have to wait for a minimum of two years in order to have a hearing aid fitted; if this timeframe is the same in other counties here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52785/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 682 and 683 together.
The HSE National Audiology Review Group Report, published in April 2011, made recommendations to address inconsistencies and shortcomings in the audiology services, including unacceptable waiting times. An additional €3.7 million was made available in 2011 to begin the implementation of the recommendations. Among the actions being taken are the following:
- An Audiology Clinical Care Programme has been put in place under the Clinical Strategy and Programmes Directorate;
- Newborn hearing screening programme now covers Cork, Waterford and Wexford, South Tipperary and Kilkenny hospitals. The roll-out to Dublin Mid Leinster and Dublin North East is scheduled by year end and to HSE West for 2013;
- A candidate has been selected for the post of National Clinical Lead and four Assistant Lead posts have been approved to provide the clinical governance required for the development of the service;
- A unified career structure is being developed;
- The HSE has sponsored 10 M.Sc. in Audiology students, who will be ready to enter the workforce in September 2013;
- Systems for the collation of activity data and patient management are being developed;
- A procurement exercise for the purchasing of hearing aids, hearing aid fitting systems and audiological assessment equipment has been completed; and
- The Bone Anchored Hearing Aid Programme has commenced in three sites and will be further rolled out in 2013.
It is expected that these new initiatives will have a positive impact on waiting lists and will provide improvements in audiology services throughout the country. The HSE is not in a position to provide accurate data regarding waiting lists at present. An exercise in validating all audiology waiting lists is underway and will be finalised in 2013.
