Written Answers Nos. 251 - 259
251. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health in view of the increase in the number of persons suffering from arthritis here and the cost of treatment for the condition, his plans to include arthritis as one of the qualifying medical conditions under the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20703/13]
View answerThere 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.
252. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of psychiatrists needed for the procedure regarding a person being sent to a mental institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20704/13]
View answerI presume the Deputy is referring to the involuntary admission of a person to an approved centre on the grounds that he or she is suffering from a mental disorder. Such admissions are governed by the Mental Health Act 2001, which sets out the formal procedures that must be followed where an application to detain a person as an involuntary patient has been made.
An application for a recommendation that a person be involuntarily admitted to an approved centre may be made to a Registered Medical Practitioner who following examination of the person, must be satisfied that he or she is suffering from a mental disorder as defined in Section 3 of the Act. If satisfied that the person is suffering from a mental disorder, the Registered Medical Practitioner will make a recommendation that the person be involuntarily admitted to the approved centre. A Consultant Psychiatrist in the approved centre will examine the person within 24 hours of taking charge of the person and if the Consultant Psychiatrist agrees that the conditions for involuntary admission are met, he or she will sign the admissions order, which shall authorise the reception, detention and treatment of the person for a period no longer than twenty one days.
All involuntary admissions are automatically reviewed by a Mental Health Tribunal. The review is independent, automatic and must be completed within 21 days of the admission or renewal order being signed. Each Mental Health Tribunal is made up of three members, one of whom shall be a Consultant Psychiatrist who is not involved in the care of the person concerned. In addition, the Tribunal will appoint an Independent Consultant to examine the person and their records as well as interviewing the Consultant Psychiatrist responsible for the care of the patient if necessary. The Independent Consultant Psychiatrist will then produce a report for the Tribunal. If a majority of the members of the Tribunal are satisfied that the patient is suffering from a mental disorder and that the relevant provisions of the Act relating to admission and detention have been complied with, they will affirm the admission order.
The Mental Health Act 2001 is being reviewed at present in line with the commitment contained in the Programme for Government to review the Act "informed by human rights standards and in consultation with service users, carers and other stakeholders". I established an Expert Group in August last year to carry out the second and substantive phase of the review and it is expected that the Group will publish its report in quarter 2 this year.
253. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the length of queues to see a State psychiatrist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20705/13]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to provide me with information on the specific matter raised in this question. When I receive that information, I will contact the Deputy directly.
254. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the measures his Department and the Health Service Executive will introduce to safeguard the qualifications of graduating midwives who will not meet the EU standards as a result of not being offered the one year work experience as a registered midwife required in the EU thereby precluding them from seeking work in an EU State which many of the graduates are considering due to the moratorium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20717/13]
View answerEU Directive 2005/36/EC on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications provides a mechanism for the recognition of professional qualifications in the European Economic Area and Switzerland. Where registration is a legal requirement in a member state, qualification recognition is usually a pre-registration step. Automatic recognition of the qualifications of midwives applies under the Directive under certain conditions. This includes nurses who have undertaken the eighteen month post-graduate degree programme followed by certification of one years professional experience during which the applicant has pursued all the activities of a midwife in an approved hospital or health care establishment.
Where automatic recognition does not apply, midwives may apply for qualification recognition under the general system of the Directive. The general system provides for an assessment, on a case-by-case basis, of the qualifications of an applicant against those required to practise in the host member state. If the activities covered by the profession in the home and the host member state are not comparable, then the qualifications cannot be recognised. If the activities are comparable but deficits in the qualifications are identified, subsequent post-qualification professional experience of the applicant must be considered. If deficits still remain, the host country must offer an applicant a compensation measure i.e. a choice of completing an adaptation period or taking an aptitude test. Nurses who do not have the required clinical practice experience are entitled to have their application for qualification recognition considered by the relevant competent authority in the State to which they are moving under the general systems provisions of EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
I would like to draw the Deputy's attention to the graduate nursing initiative recently launched by the Health Service Executive which is also available to graduate midwives. This provides an opportunity for graduates in midwifery to gain two years clinical experience which would entitle them to automatic recognition under the Directive.
255. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health if any review is planned for the funding of the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20724/13]
View answerThe Irish Lung Fibrosis Association is a member of the Irish Donor Network, the members of which met me earlier this year to discuss a number of issues, including consent for organ donation. 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.
256. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health with reference to a service (details supplied) in County Donegal, if there is a timeframe for this appointment. [20729/13]
View answerThe Government has decided that the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet its fiscal and budgetary targets. The Health Sector must make its contribution to that reduction. However, the HSE can make staff appointments once it remains within its overall employment ceiling and has the financial resources to do so. 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.
257. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the reason the weekly transport services, Monday to Friday, from St. Joseph’s Hospital, Longford to the Dublin hospitals has ceased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20733/13]
View answerIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
258. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm plans for a major expansion of accident and emergency facilities at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin; if he appreciates the importance of such development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20790/13]
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.
259. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the fair deal scheme will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny based on their assessment report and urgent need for residential care; the reason the approval of funds has not been granted; and if he will expedite the matter. [20793/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
