Finian McGrath
Question:1335. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support the young adults attending Stewart's Care in Palmerstown, Dublin 20 and protect their services. [37282/13]
View answerServices for People with Disabilities
Questions (1335, 1342)
Gerry Adams
Question:1342. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been taken to cut funding from a hospital (details supplied) in Dublin 20; if clients of the service who turn 18 will be refused services at the hospital from December; if he will outline the level of the funding cut backs and the level of service reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37307/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1335 and 1342 together.
I recognise the importance of life-skills training and day support services to young people with disabilities who have left the education system and its importance to their future progression. Every effort is being made within available resources to provide services to all 2013 school-leavers and I have been monitoring the position closely. Service providers and the HSE are working closely together to identify how the needs of those individuals who still require day services or training places in 2013 can be responded to within available resources and the Health Service Executive (HSE) has kept me informed of progress in that regard on an ongoing basis in recent months.
The HSE has confirmed that Stewarts Care have agreed placements with all families that fully meet the needs of the young people who are completing their education this year at Stewarts Care. This has come about as a result of reconfiguration of services and on-going dialogue between the HSE and Stewarts Care. I understand that families have confirmed their satisfaction with the services offered.
For a period before these placements were confirmed, Stewarts Care had indicated to families that only a part-time placement would be available to eleven school-leavers and that the position would be reviewed at the end of the year. The purpose of this review was intended to provide individuals waiting on additional services with a more satisfactory service as soon as resources permitted and not with a view to reducing the level of service offered.
With regard to the level of the funding cut backs and the level of service reduction, I have arranged for this part of the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage
Questions (1336)
Michael McGrath
Question:1336. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to add rheumatoid arthritis to the list of qualifying illnesses under the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37286/13]
View answerWritten answers
There 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.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (1337)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1337. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37294/13]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 issued to Oireachtas members.
Medical Card Appeals
Questions (1338)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1338. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card appeal in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37295/13]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 issued to Oireachtas members.
Dental Services Waiting Lists
Questions (1339)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1339. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a dental appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37296/13]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (1340)
Barry Cowen
Question:1340. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37297/13]
View answerWritten answers
The management of inpatient and day-case 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.
Medical Card Eligibility
Questions (1341)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1341. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding medical cards in respect of persons with motor neurone disease (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37305/13]
View answerWritten answers
Medical cards are provided to persons who, under the provisions of the Health Act 1970, are in the opinion of the HSE unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. The assessment for a medical card is determined primarily by reference to the means, including the income and reasonable expenditure, of the applicant and his or her partner and dependants. Under the legislation, determination of eligibility for a medical card is the responsibility of the HSE.
While there is no automatic entitlement to a medical card for persons with specific illnesses, such as motor neurone disease, the HSE has, however, discretion to award a medical card to avoid undue hardship, even where the person exceeds the income guidelines. At the request of the Minister, the HSE set up a clinical panel to assist in the processing of applications for medical cards on a discretionary basis, where a person exceeds the income guidelines but there are difficult personal circumstances, such as an illness.
The HSE have examined their medical card database to identify the number of patients with Motor Neurone disease and identified 286 clients in respect of whom the medication "Rilutek" has been dispensed in the twelve months to June 2013 and this figure correlates with the figure of 300 Motor Neurone patients nationally. Of these clients, 234 have a full medical card and the balance avail of the Drugs Payment Scheme to cover the excess of €144 per month.
Minister Reilly and myself are very much aware of the difficulties facing patients with Motor Neurone Disease and the Medical Officers in the HSE are taking all of these difficulties and costs into account when considering clients for eligibility for a medical card. However, as outlined earlier, the governing criteria in relation to medical cards is to ensure that patients who are unable to provide for their medical and surgical requirements without undue hardship are provided with such services.
Question No. 1342 answered with Question No. 1335.
Hospital Appointment Status
Questions (1343)
Barry Cowen
Question:1343. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect to receive a hospital appointment. [37311/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive Community Audiology service administers and monitors hearing tests for adults who are at risk for hearing loss. Appointments for the audiology service are sent in a strict chronology according to clinical priorities and date of receipt of referral. The HSE has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (1344, 1464)
Finian McGrath
Question:1344. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the current security of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [37318/13]
View answerFinian McGrath
Question:1464. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a long-term care plan in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [37995/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1344 and 1464 together.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Complaints Procedures
Questions (1345)
Clare Daly
Question:1345. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his plans to order an investigation into the treatment of patients in Baggot Street hospital in the 1960s and if he has received any complaints in that regard. [37320/13]
View answerWritten answers
I have no plans for an investigation into this matter.
Question No. 1346 answered with Question No. 1298.
Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors Working Conditions
Questions (1347, 1359, 1384, 1557)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1347. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an indication as to when the working time directive with regard to persons working in our health service will be fully implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37329/13]
View answer
Ciara Conway
Question:1359. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health the progress being made to reduce the number of hours worked by non-consultant hospital doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37534/13]
View answer
Michael McCarthy
Question:1384. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the measures he will take to tackle the issue of non-consultant hospital doctors routinely working excessive hours without adequate rest or sustenance which could potentially compromise patient care and undermine patient safety; the way he will ensure compliance with the EU Working Time Directive; if he is satisfied that the Health Service Executive is making every effort to improve the working hours of NCHDs and to implement other measures to improve their working conditions which will in turn facilitate the provision of improved and safer delivery of services to patients. [37645/13]
View answer
Terence Flanagan
Question:1557. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to tackle the issue of illegal working hours for non-consultant hospital doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38452/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1347, 1359, 1384 and 1557 together.
The Government is committed to achieving compliance with the European Working Time Directive in respect of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) by 2014. This is in the interest of doctors themselves and of the patients under their care.
This is a complex matter. Amongst the issues involved, depending on the particular service, are changes to NCHD rosters and work patterns, greater use of Consultant teams, organisation of services, introduction of electronic rostering and time-recording systems and task reallocation between health professionals.
The Health Service Executive's Service Plan for 2013 specifically recognises the need to address EWTD compliance. The Executive has established a National Group to bring a clear and urgent focus to implementation of the Directive, assessment of performance and site-by-site accountability for change. The Group has engaged and continues to work with management in each hospital regarding implementation plans and accountability. The immediate focus is to ensure that no doctor works more than 68 hours per week and that none work shifts (including on-call) of longer than 24 hours at a time.
I am keeping this matter under ongoing review so as to ensure that the HSE, to the maximum extent possible, reduces the average working hours of NCHDs and implements other measures to improve their working conditions.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (1348)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1348. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card renewal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37353/13]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 issued to Oireachtas members.
Mental Health Services Funding
Questions (1349)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1349. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the mental health services in County Kerry do not suffer further cuts to their budget or resources in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37373/13]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Health Services
Questions (1350)
Andrew Doyle
Question:1350. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if particular health centres (details supplied) in County Wicklow run by the Health Service Executive are fully wheelchair accessible for staff and the persons alike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37408/13]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has responsibility for the provision of Primary Care Centres and the operation and maintenance of existing health centres. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Card Drugs
Questions (1351)
Finian McGrath
Question:1351. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason patients who get a hospital prescription have to then go to a general practitioner for further prescriptions before they can get their medicine on the medical card. [37459/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Medical Council’s Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics states that “it is in the best interests of the patient that a general practitioner supervises and guides the overall management of their health”.
Medical card holders who are given a prescription by a hospital or clinic must request their GP to transcribe the details onto a GMS prescription form in order for them to receive their medication free of charge, subject to any applicable prescription charges.
There is an arrangement under the GMS Scheme for the emergency supply of medicines for medical card holders on discharge from hospital. Community pharmacists are authorised to dispense a maximum of seven days supply of medicines prescribed for persons who have been in-patients in a hospital or who have attended an Emergency Department and because of the circumstances of their discharge and/or the urgency of the prescribed medication it would not be possible to attend their GP to have the hospital prescription transcribed to a GMS prescription form. This arrangement relieves any difficulties that patients might encounter due to being discharged from hospital late in the evening or at weekends.
I wish to assure the Deputy that it is best clinical practice that a person in need of treatment should regularly attend their GP and that the GP is fully aware of the medications that any patient may be being prescribed. This is entirely consistent with the gatekeeper role played by the GP in the delivery of primary care. As GPs receive an annual capitation fee per GMS patient there are no extra costs incurred by such patients.
Question No. 1352 answered with Question No. 1276.