Written Answers Nos. 210-219
210. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of new GMS codes granted for medical products in 2012; the number of new applicant companies granted such codes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4942/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive is responsible for granting GMS codes. The HSE has therefore been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
212. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the person that is undertaking the review of the national Traveller health advisory committee; the date on which it will be completed; when the next meeting of the national Traveller health advisory committee will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4945/13]
View answerMy Department undertook to conduct a review of the Traveller Health Advisory Committee (THAC) at the end of 2012. An external reviewer is to be charged with completing the review subject to a process of appointment that is currently underway. It is hoped that the review will commence in the coming weeks and take approximately 4-6 weeks to carry out, at which time a report will be submitted to my Department for its consideration. Meetings of the THAC have been suspended pending the outcome of the review.
213. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health of the €115 million of additional demographic moneys allocated to the Health Service Executive social inclusion budget in 2012, the amount that was allocated towards Traveller health developments; of the indicative additional demographic budget of €114 million allocated to social inclusion in 2013, the amount that will be allocated for Traveller health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4946/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive Social Inclusion budget for 2012 totalled €115 million. The allocation for this Care Group amounts to €114 million for 2013. This covers a range of areas including Addiction; Alcohol; Homelessness; Intercultural Health (i.e. Asylum seekers, refugees, migrants etc.); Irish Travellers and Roma; LGBT; and HIV/AIDS, together with elements of community development and gender based violence. The total Traveller health budget for 2011 amounted to €12.3 million. This amount does not include costs of health service provision of those mainstream services which members of the Traveller community are entitled to access. Finalised Traveller health budget figures for 2012 are not yet available but are expected to be approximately 2-5% lower than the 2011 figure, in line with the funding reductions applied as part of the requirement of the health service to meet ongoing financial challenges. A similar reduction is expected to apply during 2013. However efforts are being made to protect the funding allocated towards more vulnerable groups as far as possible.
214. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that the appalling health profile of Travellers evident in the all Ireland Traveller health study report published in 2010, when he will develop an action plan or update the national Traveller health strategy to address traveller health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4947/13]
View answerThe All Ireland Traveller Health Study (AITHS) was carried out in 2007 and the findings were published in September 2010 with a follow up Birth Cohort Study published in September 2011. It was a comprehensive study of the health and social status of the Traveller community in Ireland and was carried out by the School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College Dublin on behalf of Travellers, with the direct involvement of Travellers. The findings of the Study provide a strong evidence base for assessing existing and future service delivery and allowed the identification of a range priorities and means of addressing these.
The following priority areas for action were identified to address the findings of the Study: Mental Health; Suicide; Men’s Health; Addiction/Alcohol; Domestic Violence; Diabetes; Cardiovascular Health. The HSE has already put in place measures to address these agreed priority areas and the Traveller Health Advisory Forum within the HSE is in the process of preparing a detailed action plan. In addition, the forthcoming Health and Wellbeing Framework will put in place new structures which will focus on the cross sectoral social determinants of health and will incorporate actions relating to addressing health inequalities among marginalised groups such as Travellers.
215. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the support available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17 [4949/13]
View answerSuicide is a tragedy that we are constantly working to prevent and also working to give more support to the families affected. Dealing with the current high levels of suicide and deliberate self harm is a priority for this Government. Reach Out our National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention makes a number of recommendations in relation to fast track referrals to community-based mental health services, effective response to deliberate self harm, training, stigma reduction, etc. Consequently, the HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention has developed a range of initiatives aimed specifically at supporting people who are suicidal and also supporting their families, friends and peers in recognising and responding appropriately to signs of emotional distress and suicidal thoughts. As the issue referred to by the Deputy is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
216. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Health the returns policy regarding unused incontinence pads which are still sealed in their original packaging, bearing in mind the financial constraints on the Health Service Executive and the possible needless wasting of unused goods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4953/13]
View answerSurplus unused products (delivered to HSE clients via the HSE Home Delivery Service) which are still in the original packaging are routinely collected by the contracted service provider and re-distributed.
Surplus unused products (collected by HSE clients from HSE Health Centres) which are still in the original packaging can be returned by clients to the relevant health centre for re-distribution.
217. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [4955/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
218. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to alleviate the situation at the accident and emergency department at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick, in view of the fact that patients, especially elderly people, have to endure long waiting times on trolleys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4965/13]
View answerImmediately following my appointment, I established the Special Delivery Unit, as set out in the Programme for Government. The aim of the SDU is to unblock access to acute services by improving the flow of patients through the system. There was significant progress during the course of 2012 in reducing the number of patients waiting on trolleys. In December 2012, there were 23.5% fewer patients waiting on trolleys compared to December 2011. This equates to more than 20,000 patients whose experience of our acute hospitals has been significantly improved. Since before Christmas hospitals have seen a significant increase in the number of very sick patients needing admission. The increase in norovirus in hospitals has been well publicised; we are also seeing high levels of admissions of frail elderly people and of patients presenting with respiratory related illnesses. However, evidence from the last year has proved that the health system has the capacity to respond to these challenges and to continue to improve emergency care. The situation is being actively managed at a national level, while all staff including consultants, nurses, allied health staff and management is working extremely hard to address the pressures experienced by hospitals since the New Year.
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.
219. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason a pensioner on eight different types of medication was paying €3 per month before Budget 2013 and is now paying €12 per month for the same medication; and his views on same. [4971/13]
View answerMedical card holders are required to pay a €1.50 charge (per item) for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €19.50 per month for each person or family. Prior to 1 January 2013, the prescription charge was €0.50 per item. Charges are not payable in respect of items supplied under the Long Term Illness Scheme. Prescription charges do not apply to children in the care of the HSE or to methadone supplied to patients participating in the Methadone Treatment Scheme.
