Written Answers Nos. 1004-1020
1004. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when occupational therapy and speech and language therapy will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27578/13]
View answerThe particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1005. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding orthodontic treatment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry [27581/13]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
1006. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on the Health Service Executive fair deal scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27586/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1007. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the supports available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [27587/13]
View answerWhere there are symptoms of depression or suicidal behaviour, the most appropriate course is to advise the individual to seek help from their GP, who can then make a referral to other services such as the mental health or addiction services, if the suicidal behaviour is drug or alcohol related. In an emergency the individuals should be referred or taken to the nearest hospital emergency department for a medical assessment, treatment and if necessary referral to other services.
In relation to the housing and intimidation issues, the person referred to should be advised to contact his Local Authority, who has responsibility for housing issues.
1008. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the assistance available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [27588/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1009. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied). [27600/13]
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.
1010. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health when patients transferred from the recently closed leg ulcer clinic in Slane, County Meath, will be given appointment dates for the clinic at its new location in Duleek; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27613/13]
View answerAs 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.
1011. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if an implementation plan for the national neurorehabilitation policy will be developed by his Department; if he recognises the importance of implementing a policy in view of the fact that only one in six of the 15,000 people here who need specialist neurorehabilitation each year receive same due to a lack of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27622/13]
View answerThe aim of neuro-rehabilitation is to enable the person to achieve the highest possible level of independence. Desired outcomes range from a return to full independence in social and work situations to a person requiring long-term support and care but with a higher level of independence than in the absence of neuro-rehabilitation. Current services available include acute hospital services; the National Rehabilitation Hospital; multi-disciplinary community services; long-term assisted living supports; and rehabilitative training services. These services are provided directly by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and several non-statutory organisations.
The Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) have developed and published the "National Policy and Strategy for the provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011 - 2015". In addition, the HSE is developing its Rehabilitation Medicine Programme within the Clinical Strategy and Programmes Directorate. The Report is the overarching policy on neuro-rehabilitation services and includes proposals for a framework for the future of neuro-rehabilitation services in Ireland, including key elements such as
- guiding principles;
- implementation structure;
- methodology for implementation; and
- information and communication.
The Report recognises that given the current economic climate, the focus in the short to medium term has to be on re-configuration of services, structures and resources and the enhancement of the skills and competencies required to meet the changing context.
The key priority areas, as identified in the HSE's National Operational Plan for 2013 are to:
- Map and develop Integrated Service Area level rehabilitation networks;
- Implement the model of care for rehabilitation services within the networks with a focus on community rehabilitation.
The Rehabilitation Medicine Programme has been working in collaboration with the HSE's National Disability Unit as part of an expert Working Group planning for the implementation of the Report. The Rehabilitation Medicine Programme has incorporated key elements of the Report into its own Model of Care and adopted the Strategy’s recommendation of "hub and spoke" model for specialist rehabilitation services and is keen to progress with a comprehensive model for the continuation of such service into the community. This co-operation will continue in 2013.
1012. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the drug dapagliflozin (details supplied) will be made available to persons who hold medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27640/13]
View answerThe HSE has received an application for the reimbursement of dapagliflozin under the GMS and community drugs schemes.
The application is being considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed last year by the Department of Health and the HSE with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) for the assessment of new medicines.
The product has completed the rapid review process and a health technology assessment is ongoing. It would not be appropriate at this time to make any further comment in relation to the outcome of the process.
1013. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27642/13]
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.
1014. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health the future of the Emergency Aeromedical Service that has been in operation for just over twelve months having completed its initial trial period, basing an Irish Air Corps EC135 helicopter at Custume Barracks, Athlone, County Westmeath; if discussions have taken place between his officials and those in the Department of Defence to extend the service, based on an initial twelve month test period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27660/13]
View answer1029. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if the air ambulance service operating from Custume Barracks, Athlone, County Westmeath, will be retained beyond the pilot programme ending this month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27805/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1014 and 1029 together.
The twelve month emergency aeromedical support (EAS) service pilot has now been completed. The EAS pilot is currently being reviewed and that assessment is expected to be completed shortly.
In relation to the continuation of the service, I have agreed with my colleague, the Minister for Defence, to an extension of aeromedical support by the Air Corps to the EAS service for a period of up to three months, pending receipt and consideration of the report on the review of the pilot.
1015. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their appeal for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27666/13]
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.
1016. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their appeal for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27667/13]
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.
1017. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a dedicated annual grant to a counselling service (details supplied) in County Kerry; if he will take into consideration the geographical spread of the county and the distance clients from the Dingle Peninsula have to travel to Tralee for similar services and ensure that this vital service continues long into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27668/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1018. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health how a person can gain access to personal assistant, PA, support; the number of new applicants that were accepted onto the scheme in each of the past five years; and the number of persons who left the scheme during that period. [27671/13]
View answerAssisted living services including personal assistant services are provided by the Health Service Executive. Accordingly the Department has asked the HSE to provide the Deputy directly with the information requested.
1019. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the research that was undertaken into the plain packaging of tobacco products has resulted in strong evidence which supports the introduction of plain packaging here; if he will confirm where the strong evidence was found to support the introduction of plain packaging when both the UK and New Zealand, after long consultation decided against proceeding with such a proposal due to lack of evidence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27672/13]
View answerSmoking is the greatest single cause of preventable illness and premature death in Ireland - killing over 5,200 people a year. Government policy in relation to smoking is to promote and subsequently move towards a tobacco free society. There is strong international peer reviewed evidence that standardised packaging will increase the effectiveness of health warnings; reduce false health beliefs about cigarettes and reduce brand appeal particularly among youth and young adults. Standardised packaging is one of a number of measures which will be implemented to reduce smoking in our society.
1020. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a determination will be made on an appeal for a full medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27684/13]
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.
