Written Answers Nos. 1258 - 1280
1258. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16918/13]
View answerThe management of inpatient and daycase 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.
1259. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be reached on a medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16919/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
1260. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the assistance available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [16921/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1261. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 98 of 26 May 2011, if he will provide an update on same. [16923/13]
View answerI understand that a Report is being compiled by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in association with St. Michael's House in relation to the issue of the treatment Mr Kennedy received in Redwood Unit, Stamullen. As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1262. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will request that the Health Service Executive consider a proposal that may shorten waiting lists; and if he will ask the HSE to contact this Deputy directly. [16928/13]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
1263. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will review the proposal to make deep brain stimulation available here, through a North-South initiative; if he will consider the idea of allowing procedures to be carried out in Northern Ireland in order that patients could have pre and post-operative care managed in the Republic, instead of patients in the Republic of Ireland having to go overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16930/13]
View answerFollowing a request from the Health Services Executive (HSE), the Health Information and Quality Authority undertook a health technology assessment (HTA) to inform a decision regarding the provision of a deep brain stimulation service for adults with movement disorders in Ireland. At present, patients who require this treatment are referred to neurosurgical centres outside of Ireland (primarily the UK) for surgery and follow-up care, with funding being provided through the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS). The purpose of this HTA was to compare this method of service delivery to that of a proposed national DBS service in Ireland. The Health Information and Quality Authority published the results of the HTA of a national deep brain stimulation (DBS) programme for adults with movement disorders in November 2012.
The Authority’s assessment found that the cost of a national DBS programme in Ireland would exceed the cost of continuing to fund DBS through the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) by approximately €21,000 per patient over 10 years. Over five years, the incremental budget impact of a national DBS service would be €1.84 million more than the estimated €4.29 million required to treat the same number of patients through the TAS. I have not received a proposal from the HSE in relation to the development a cross border brain stimulation service. I have forwarded your question to the HSE who will respond to you directly in relation to the position regarding the development of such a proposal.
1264. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the position regarding transport to a hospital in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [16931/13]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
1265. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the existing level of service offered by the patient transfer ambulances servicing the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16955/13]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
1266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the medical and psychiatric needs of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare have been diagnosed and determined to date; the extent to which supervised accommodation is available to them; the number of occasions on which they attended hospital or health clinics in relation to their medical or psychiatric condition; if at any time they were discharged on the streets without any provision being made for their health, safety and-or well-being; the extent to which provision is now being made to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16956/13]
View answerAs the specific issue raised by the Deputy relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply in respect of the detailed information sought.
1267. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which medical or psychiatric health requirements have been assessed and determined to date in the case of a person (details supplied) County Kildare; the extent to which appropriate treatment including rehabilitation in line with diagnosis is being made available; if their medication is in line with their requirements; if efforts are being made to ensure that the course of medication is followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16957/13]
View answerAs the specific issue raised by the Deputy relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply in respect of the detailed information sought.
1268. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances available for patient transfers to service the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in 2011, 2012 and within the past six months, in tabular form. [16958/13]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
1269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16961/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
1270. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the waste of resources that is occurring in the client registration unit (details supplied). [16963/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive operates under the legislative framework of the Health Act of 1970, as subsequently amended. In the interest of probity, the HSE is obliged to ensure that a person’s eligibility is correctly recorded in line with the eligibility legislation and the national guidelines. The HSE aims to ensure that every person who is entitled to the medical card schemes is given the opportunity to avail of their entitlement. The HSE has produced national assessment guidelines to provide a clear framework to assist in the making of reasonable, consistent and equitable decisions when assessing an applicant for the General Medical Services scheme. These guidelines are publicly available and can be downloaded from the HSE's medical card website.
The standard procedure for the review of medical cards for persons aged 66 years or older is that their medical card will be reviewed every 4 years. For persons under the age of 66 years, the length of validity of a medical card is 3 years. Depending on the individual's circumstances, it may be issued for a shorter period. If an individual's circumstances change, he/she must inform the HSE, as he/she may no longer be eligible. In addition to the standard assessment and review processes, random audits of eligibility will also be undertaken by the HSE on an on-going basis. If selected for review under this process, the Medical Card holder will be informed and requested to submit up to date income details.
Any medical card holder undergoing a review to renew a medical card, who genuinely engages with the HSE in that review, will not have their entitlement withdrawn before the review is complete, regardless of the expiry date shown on their medical card. In cases where a decision is made not to grant a medical card, the applicant is informed of the decision and is notified of their right to appeal this decision. Contact details for the appeals office are provided to them. Where a person submits an appeal to a decision not to renew a medical card within 21 days of that decision, they retain their medical card or GP visit card until the appeal is decided.
1271. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the reason, on a number of occasions recently, there was no patient transfer ambulances available in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare, to take the person to surgical clinic appointments in the mid-western hospital. [16966/13]
View answerPatient transport is the responsibility of the HSE. However, people attending outpatient and hospital appointments are, in general, expected to make their own travel arrangements, using private or scheduled public transport. The exceptions are for dialysis, cancer (radiotherapy and chemotherapy) and post-operative transplant patients, where transport may be provided. In these cases, the patient's appointment or treatment should be directly related to the treatment. Transport may also be provided where, in the clinician's view, the patient would be unable to make the journey without clinical assistance or where the patient must be transported on a stretcher.
Following implementation of the HSE's non-ambulance patient transport policy, responsibility for the arrangement and provision of non-ambulance transport has moved from the HSE National Ambulance Service to local health offices in each region. For non-emergency transfers of patients between hospitals, where these transfers are stretcher-based or otherwise clinically indicated, the new intermediate care service (ICS), is being progressively rolled out. The ICS currently serves Cavan, Castleblayney, South County Dublin, Letterkenny, Sligo, Galway, Roscommon, Limerick, Mallow and Bantry. Supported by the National Service Plan, it is expected to be expanded in 2013, including Cork and Tralee. In addition to the ICS, the HSE has a framework agreement with private providers for the provision of non-emergency transfers. 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.
1272. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health if and when a bio-monitoring study of total fluoride intake will be carried out; if any periodic dental surveys have been carried out to measure both caries levels and fluorosis in order to monitor the effect water fluoridation has had on the oral health of the people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16986/13]
View answerThe impact of water fluoridation on caries levels in Ireland has been regularly assessed in both national and local surveys since its introduction in the mid 1960s. Enamel fluorosis has been monitored in Ireland since 1984. This is regarded as an accurate method of monitoring total fluoride intake, using increasingly sophisticated new technologies. Surveys to measure the effectiveness of water fluoridation on children’s and adults’ oral health include national studies in 1984, 1990, 2001 and 2002, regional studies between 1990 and 1999 and a cross border study in 2006. All of these studies showed a substantial benefit of fluoridation in terms of a reduction in tooth decay.
A high level advisory group to provide technical and academic oversight of a planned bio-monitoring study of total fluoride intake in Ireland was established by the Department of Health and the HSE in 2012. The group advised that, due to its inherent limitations, such a study utilising samples of urine or nails, on its own, would not be beneficial. It proposed that consideration be given to an assessment of fluorosis as a bio-marker in an oral health study. The Health Research Board has approved funding for a study by the Oral Health Services Research Centre of University College Cork. The Department of Health is a collaborator in the study. The study 'What Impact Have Major Policy Changes Had on Oral Health in Ireland? Establishing a Blueprint for Oral Health Surveillance' will consider the impact of changes on the oral health of children, following policy decisions relating to toothpaste use by infants and young children (2002) and the reduced level of fluoridation in drinking water (2007).
1273. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made towards making the holders of long-term illness cards eligible for free general practitioner care; the legislative timetable for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17017/13]
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. As part of the first phase, legislation is currently being drafted by the Office of the Attorney General and the Department. The legislation is intended to allow the Minister for Health to make regulations to extend access to GP services without fees to persons with prescribed illnesses. The legislation will be published when it is completed. Implementation dates and application details will be announced after the legislation is in place.
1275. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will uphold the decision of a stage three grievance process within the National Ambulance Service in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [17025/13]
View answerAs I have no function in such matters I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the specific issue he has raised.
1276. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if he will review a decision to refuse a full medical card to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17026/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
1277. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the delay in recruiting additional front-line primary care staff; when he expects all such staff to be recruited; and the way in which he intends to reallocate the savings of approximately €5 million to date arising from the delayed recruitment of these primary care posts. [17027/13]
View answerOn 27 March last, I conveyed approval to the HSE to recruit the following posts for Primary Care Teams: 70 Public Health Nurses; 37 Registered General Nurses; 51 Occupational Therapists; 46 Physiotherapists; and 47 Speech & Language Therapists.
It is my firm intention to have these posts filled as soon as possible. Arrangements are now being made within the HSE to coordinate the necessary documentation for submission to its National Recruitment Service (NRS) to proceed with the filling of the posts. The NRS has confirmed that panels are in place for the above grades and they will be in a position to proceed to offer the posts once all the necessary documentation is received. The expectation is that appointments will be made as soon as possible thereafter. Any savings which arise as as result of delays in recruiting the above staff will be used to offset expenditure pressures within the primary care area which may arise during this year.
1278. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in fully commencing the chronic care programme for asthma, and the target dates he is working to for the commencement and full implementation of the programme. [17028/13]
View answer1324. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when the first phase of the national asthma programme will be implemented; the initial actions that will be taken by him in order to implement the programmer; and the deadlines for these actions [17519/13]
View answer1325. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason implementation of the national asthma programme was not prioritised in the 2013 Health Service Executive services plan with more than one person per week dying from asthma and 470,000 people here living with this respiratory disease that is particularly prevalent in children, with one in five children here suffering from the disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17520/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1278, 1324 and 1325 together.
Implementation of the National Asthma Programme (NAP) commenced in 2011. The overarching aim of the NAP is to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with asthma in Ireland and to improve clinical outcomes and the quality of life of all patients with asthma. A key component is improved management of people with asthma in primary care and, thereby, avoiding attendances at emergency departments and hospital admissions. The target is to reduce bed days for acute asthma by 10% per year over 3 years through implementing the programme’s asthma guidelines and national model of care. In the first year of programme, there was an 8% reduction in acute hospital bed days.
The initial focus of the work of the NAP has been on the development and implementation of national asthma guidelines. The National Model of Care for Asthma will detail how physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals will work with engaged patients to make the clinical decisions most appropriate to their circumstances and to collaborate with specialist colleagues in providing a safe, seamless experience within the health system. This includes a model for the management of asthma in primary care and the necessary links with specialist hospital services. The National Model of Care will document the care that should be provided for a patient with asthma in both primary and secondary care and is a key deliverable for the National Asthma Programme for 2013. 85% of asthma is managed in primary care, which is in line with the Government's policy of providing care as close as possible to the patient's home.
Adult Emergency Asthma Guidelines were published in November 2011 and are available online at www.hse.ie. These guidelines are being revised at present and will be submitted to the National Clinical Effectiveness Committee (NCEC). Paediatric Emergency Asthma Guidelines have also been developed and will be available for circulation shortly. Guidelines for managing a patient with asthma in primary care have recently been approved by the Irish College of General Practitioners and are currently being circulated.
A self-learning asthma e-learning 6 modular theoretical programme, based on the national evidenced based guidelines and developed by NAP in conjunction with the Asthma Society of Ireland is available online at http://www.hseland.ie and www.asthmasociety.ie. This will enable healthcare professionals to underpin their skill sets with theory. There is also a similar programme available for GPs on the ICGP website. In addition, a practical workshop is also being delivered by Respiratory Clinical Nurse Specialists for staff in Primary Care and hospitals. This education programme will continue throughout 2013.
1279. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive is refusing or has delayed in meeting with a family (details supplied) regarding the welfare of their mother; the further reason the HSE manager, who is aware of this serious and damning complaint, has not met with the family and, according to this family, their concerns are being ignored by the local management at Cherry Orchard Hospital and the area manager; the further reason for the delay in the HSE formally meeting with the family to address this complaint which, as the family state, involves abuse, neglect and bad treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17041/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1280. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the prescription charges are being administered correctly in a case (details supplied) [17062/13]
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. 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. Where a drug or medicine is required to be dispensed in different strengths and different containers, a prescription charge applies to each item.
