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Wednesday, 13 Mar 2013

Written Answers Nos. 195-202

Long Term Illness Scheme

Questions (195)

Denis Naughten

Question:

195. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will include haemochromatosis and hemoglobin santa clara on the long-term illness scheme; if both conditions will be considered for a statutory general practitioner only card as part of the forthcoming legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13193/13]

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Written answers

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 €144 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.

The Government's Programme for Government committed it to major reforms of the manner in which health services are delivered. As part of the reform programme, Universal Primary Care is to be introduced on a phased basis during its term of office. Primary legislation is being prepared to give effect to this commitment. The wording of this legislation, which will 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 the Office of the Attorney General and the Department. As the legislation is still being drafted, I am not in a position to give a definite date for its publication. Details of an implementation timeframe, illnesses to be covered etc. and application details will be announced in due course.

Hospital Services

Questions (196)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

196. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will address the current situation regarding the unopened epilepsy unit in Cork University Hospital and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, due to the Health Service Executive's recruitment moratorium; the action he will take to address the fact that neither the original two beds or any of the four new monitoring beds are available to epilepsy patients and thus no functioning beds currently exist in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13194/13]

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Written answers

Cork and Beaumont are two of six regional centres which have been identified by the HSE's Clinical Care Programme for Epilepsy for the provision of specialist epilepsy services. Developments so far under the Programme include the opening of Rapid Access Clinics at four of these centres, including Beaumont, St James’s, Galway and Limerick. The Rapid Access clinics are led by Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs). Under the Programme, 10.5 (WTE) Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) have been recruited to lead these clinics so that a total of 12 ANPs are now in place across the four centres, delivering services on site and on an outreach basis.

The two Epilepsy Monitoring Units (EMUs) planned for Cork and Beaumont under the Programme will increase pre-surgical evaluation capacity. Monitoring is required for those patients with the worst effects of epilepsy, and patients at these units will require 24-7 care.

The staffing requirements to enable the units to be safely opened have been identified. I am advised that the staffing required for the unit at Beaumont includes five staff nurses, one consultant neurophysiologist and three technicians. I am advised by the HSE that, having secured recruitment approval from the National Control Group, Beaumont is progressing the recruitment of the posts necessary to support the service development.

With regard to Cork, the HSE has advised that it is the intention of the Cork University Hospital management to open the EMU in Quarter 3 of this year and this will be included in the HSE South’s 2013 Regional Service Plan.

Health Care Products

Questions (197)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

197. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the criteria used by the Health Service Executive and other organisations funded by his Department when deciding on tendering for the provision of patient seating clinic products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13196/13]

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Written answers

All Government Departments and Agencies funded from the Exchequer must comply with EU Directives and national guidelines on procurement. As delivery of health care patient seating clinic products such as wheelchairs is a service issue the Deputy's question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. Apart from the HSE, Agencies under the aegis of my Department do not deliver such a health care service directly to the public.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (198)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

198. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13197/13]

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Written answers

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Health Care Products

Questions (199)

Tom Fleming

Question:

199. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the scheme or schemes a person needs to qualify for in order that the cost or rental of a sleep apnoea machine is covered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13202/13]

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Written answers

The HSE is responsible for the administration of the schemes in question, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Cochlear Implants

Questions (200, 215)

Clare Daly

Question:

200. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason he has yet to meet with representatives of an organisation (details supplied); and when will he arrange for a meeting to take place as they urgently require their issues to be progressed. [13218/13]

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Billy Kelleher

Question:

215. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason he has yet to meet with representatives of an organisation (details supplied); when will he arrange for a meeting to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13315/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 215 together.

Unfortunately due to a very busy schedule of Government and Departmental business, I regret that I was not in a position to accede to this organisation's recent request for a meeting. However, as this area falls within the remit of Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, my office forwarded the organisation's correspondence to her and the request is currently under consideration.

I am advised that the HSE has met with this organisation within the past week in relation to the provision of bilateral cochlear implantation, and has outlined to them the progress being made in this regard. I understand that this was a very positive meeting and the group welcomed the proposed plan and approach to developing a bilateral cochlear implant programme.

Health Care Products

Questions (201)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

201. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if community occupational therapists have been instructed by the Health Service Executive and his Department to recommend certain companies who provide seating clinic products; if so, if he will provide a full list of the recommended companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13219/13]

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Written answers

As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Care Products

Questions (202)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

202. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has any policy regarding promoting Irish manufacturers in the supply of products and equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13220/13]

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Written answers

All Government Departments and Agencies funded from the Exchequer must comply with EU Directives and national guidelines on procurement.

Procurement of products, goods and services which support the delivery of health care is a service matter. The Deputy's question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply

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