Written Answers Nos. 1,021-1,036
1021. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health his plans to bring in a new scheme of voluntary redundancies in district hospitals in the near future for domestic attendants - not multitask; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27688/13]
View answerThe health service is required to achieve a workforce of 98,955 whole time equivalents (WTEs) by the end of 2013. It is therefore necessary to pursue staff reductions throughout 2013 through natural turnover (retirements and resignations) and targeted measures.
On 1st May 2013 my Department issued a circular to the HSE, authorising the introduction of a Targeted Voluntary Redundancy (VR) Scheme in the HSE and in organisations funded by the HSE under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004. The purpose of this scheme is to facilitate the HSE and such organisations to achieve a permanent reduction of up 1,500 WTE, in the numbers employed in the public health sector from 2013 onwards and to facilitate ongoing health sector reform.
The scheme will give managers greater flexibility in implementing the measures needed to remain within reduced budgets and staffing ceilings. It will be implemented by the HSE on a rolling basis as appropriate areas and functions are identified. Areas and functions will be targeted where, due to reorganisation or workplace reform, there is scope to reduce employee numbers. The grades and the locations where the scheme will apply and the timing of the introduction of the scheme in each location will depend on local circumstances. Employees in the areas and grades targeted will be given an opportunity to avail of the scheme. There will be no automatic right to redundancy.
1024. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the capital funding that has been sought by an organisation (details supplied) in County Carlow in 2011, 2012 and 2013; the funding that has been approved in those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27758/13]
View answerNeither my Department nor the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) has received a request for funding or allocated funding to the organisation in question during this period. If an organisation wishes to make an application for National Lottery Funding they should send in a formal application, to the DCYA. Detailed procedures, along with the application form are set out on that Department's website at www.dcya.gov.ie.
1025. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when approval for medical treatment abroad will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27759/13]
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.
1026. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if there are any schemes available for citizens who are on the waiting list for surgery here for a period of years to avail of treatment funded by the State in another jurisdiction; and if so, if he will outline the way such schemes are administered. [27765/13]
View answerThe HSE operates a Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland under EU Regulation 1408/71, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulation 574/72, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. Subject to the EU Regulations and Guidelines, the TAS provides for the cost of approved treatments in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland through the issue of form E112 (IE) where the treatment is:
- Among the benefits provided for by Irish legislation,
- Not available in Ireland,
- Not available within the time normally necessary for obtaining it in Ireland, taking account of the patient's current state of health and the probable course of the disease.
The TAS allows for an Irish based Consultant to refer a patient who is normally resident in Ireland for treatment in another EU member state or Switzerland, where:
(a) The application to refer a patient abroad has been assessed and a determination given before that patient goes abroad,
(b) following clinical assessment, the referring Consultant certifies that the treatment is:
- medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs;
- a proven form of medical treatment and not experimental or test treatment;
- provided in a recognised hospital or other institution that will accept EU/EEA form E112 (IE) and is under the control of a registered medical practitioner.
Further information on the scheme is available on the HSE website http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/treatmentabroad/ or by contacting the HSE Treatment Abroad Scheme office on 056 778 4551 or via email on treatmentabroad.scheme@hse.ie. Application forms and information documents can be obtained through that office.
In submitting an application to the HSE, a consultant must provide confirmation that the patient cannot be provided with the required treatment within the State within a reasonable timeframe, having due regard to their medical health and course of their condition. Exact details of how and the extent to which the condition of the patient will deteriorate due to the wait, beyond what can be expected to be achieved by a more timely intervention, are required when submitting the application.
1027. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the options available to a person (details supplied) who is in urgent need of a knee replacement surgery. [27767/13]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has recently been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
1028. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding changes to medical card holders for blood tests; the plans he has to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27804/13]
View answerUnder the General Medical Services (GMS) contract, a general practitioner (GP) is expected to provide his/her patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card with all proper and necessary treatment of a kind generally undertaken by a GP. Where blood tests form part of the investigation and necessary treatment of patients' symptoms or conditions, these should be provided free of charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. The HSE also points out that, in many GP surgeries, it is the practice nurse who takes blood samples. The HSE significantly subsidises the cost of employing practice nurses.
The HSE is continuing to advise eligible patients who believe they have been inappropriately charged by a GP for routine phlebotomy services, to seek a refund from the GPs in question. It is appreciated that because of the nature of the GP/patient relationship, it may be difficult for patients to make such complaints. Where public representatives are made aware of GPs charging GMS patients in error, they may wish to notify the HSE directly.
The Programme for Government provides for the introduction of a new GMS GP contract with an increased emphasis on the management of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. It is envisaged that the new contract, when finalised, will focus on prevention and will include a requirement for GPs to provide care as part of integrated multidisciplinary Primary Care Teams.
Officials in my Department are in consultation with the HSE with a view to drawing up a new contract. I have recently had discussions with the IMO during which I outlined the Government's policy in relation to free GP care and I intend to engage in further discussions with the IMO once that legislation is published. The appropriate arrangements in relation to phlebotomy services and anti-coagulation therapy will be considered as part of the new GMS contract.
1030. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if a second neurologist for the north-west region has taken up their position (details supplied); when they started in this position or are due to start; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27879/13]
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.
1031. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a community hospital (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27883/13]
View answerAs the delivery of healthcare infrastructure is a service matter your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1032. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in assessing a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; when this person may expect a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27885/13]
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.
1034. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health if a medical card holder is exempt from paying the prescription charge on diabetic medicine as there is no charge on the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27889/13]
View answerPersons suffering from prescribed conditions, who are not already medical card holders, can get free drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of that condition under the Long Term Illness Scheme.
Medical card holders are required to pay prescription charges. Prescription charges are not payable in respect of items supplied under the Long Term Illness Scheme.
In the case of persons who have both the medical card and LTI, the HSE policy is that they should use their medical card to access medicines. The main reason for this is that the supply of medicines under the LTI costs the HSE considerably more than under the GMS Scheme. A retail mark-up of 20% is payable to pharmacists for items supplied under the LTI Scheme but there is no retail mark-up for items supplied under the GMS Scheme.
The decision by the previous Government not to extend prescription charges to the Long Term Illness Scheme has given rise to the anomaly identified by the Deputy. This matter is under review.
1035. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will consider and respond on a proposal (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27891/13]
View answerI propose dealing with the food hygiene elements of the question. The Deputy should contact my Ministerial colleagues in the Departments of Finance (registering with the Revenue Commissioners), Transport (insurance) and Justice (vetting by an Garda Síochána) regarding the other issues.
The introduction of a licensing system for food deliveries from restaurants and take aways is a matter which would require careful examination. In particular it would need to be demonstrated that the benefits for consumers and additional guarantees for food safety are necessary, worthwhile, and outweigh the associated costs of a licensing scheme, plus the additional administrative burden on food business operators. At present there is no data to suggest that the introduction of such a scheme is warranted for food safety purposes. In any event, restaurants and takeaways are not subject to a licensing scheme.
Food business operators are required to comply with current food hygiene and safety rules, which extend to include any home delivery service offered by them. They are also required to ensure that the safety of the food provided is not compromised by poor practice during delivery. Consumers who are concerned about a home delivery service are advised to contact the restaurant/takeaway which sold the food, and/or the Environmental Health Service of the Health Service Executive or the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, which will ensure appropriate follow up and investigation.
