Written Answers Nos. 244-251
244. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health in view of the recent breakthrough in stem cell research, when legislation can be expected governing such research, in view of the fact that the current lack of legislation may put patients at unnecessary risk and expense, deters investment and expertise and causes confusion among the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24541/13]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that I am currently considering a full spectrum of policy options on Assisted Human Reproduction and related matters based on work undertaken by my Department, including stem cell research. I will make my decision on these matters in due course.
245. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the position in relation to the provision of outpatient services at St Vincent's Care Centre in Athlone, County Westmeath; if those out-patient services will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24527/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
246. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an application for a medical card will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24535/13]
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.
247. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the cervical screening programme to women under the age of 25 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24540/13]
View answerCervicalCheck, the National Cervical Screening Programme was introduced in 2008 and offers free smear tests to women aged 25 - 60. The decision to offer smear tests to women aged 25 and over was made following very careful consideration of the benefits to the population and the potential risks to individual women. This involved both Irish and international experts in cervical cancer and screening who examined international evidence and experience as part of the process.
The recommendation from the International Agency on Cancer Research (IARC) is that effective population based cervical screening programmes should be aimed at women aged over 25 years. National cervical screening programmes in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England have all changed the screening age from 20 to 25 in recent years. This measure was taken to prevent too many young women undergoing unnecessary treatment and side effects.
Changes in the cells of the cervix are extremely common in women under 25. In the vast majority of cases, these changes will settle and go back to normal by themselves. If the screening age was lowered to invite women under 25 for smear tests, young women could be subjected to unnecessary treatment that may have potential long-term negative effects on their health and fertility.
Cancer of the cervix is extremely rare in women aged under 25. The average age in Ireland for the diagnosis of cervical cancer is 46. In 2010, 310 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and of these women, just three were aged under 25.
I would encourage all women aged under 25 to be vigilant about their health and go immediately to their family doctor (GP) if they have any concerns or symptoms such as abnormal bleeding. In such cases, it is not a smear test through a screening programme that is needed, but a biopsy. Her GP will make arrangements for her to have one, through a hospital service. Early detection of cervical cancer, particularly in younger women, is important in effectively treating it.
The best way to prevent cervical cancer in women younger than 25 is to encourage 12-18 year olds to avail of the free HPV vaccination being offered to all secondary schoolgirls.
248. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the nature and detail of the service contract with Northgate Public Service in relation to the delivery of the newborn screening programme; the rationale for outsourcing this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24542/13]
View answerA National Review of Audiology was undertaken by the HSE during 2011 following which the Audiology Clinical Care Programme was established. The Programme is currently progressing implementation of the Review’s findings, which include the introduction of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening nationally. The HSE has been asked to examine the query raised by the Deputy concerning a service contract and to reply to him as soon as possible.
249. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if it is the case that all applications for the Fair Deal scheme have now been suspended; if this includes those people currently in acute hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24546/13]
View answerFirstly, I would like to clarify that the HSE did not suspend accepting applications for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.
On the 15th April 2013, the HSE temporarily suspended the chronological operation of the placement list for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. Instead, funding under the Scheme was targeted at hospitals with the highest number of delayed discharges in an effort to alleviate pressure in Emergency Departments. The hospitals targeted were the Dublin Academic Teaching Hospitals (DATHs) and Cork University Hospital.
It is understood that the HSE re-commenced the chronological operation of the placement list with effect from 9th May 2013. This ensures that funding is available to people in the community, people in nursing homes and people in all acute hospitals.
250. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork may expect a deicison on their fair deal application. [24549/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
251. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that appropriate support is provided to enable the Swords Ambulance Station, County Dublin, to operate 24 hours per day, 365 days per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24560/13]
View answerThe National Ambulance Service (NAS) is not a static service. The Service deploys its resources in a dynamic manner and works on an area and national, rather than a local, basis. The dynamic deployment of ambulance resources ensures that the nearest appropriate resource is mobilised to the location of any incident. It has been, and still is, undergoing major transformation, including in terms of clinical skills and work practices, application of technology and modernisation of management and infrastructure. Many of these initiatives are still in train and I am confident that they will result in the improvements in the treatment available in pre-hospital care to seriously ill and injured patients.
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.
