Written Answers Nos. 198-204
198. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the action the special delivery unit, SDU, is taking to tackle the delayed discharge policy of Beaumont Hospital which is resulting in the accident and emergency department being regularly in excess of 100% capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49702/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
199. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49705/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
201. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons who are refused medical cards every year from new applications since 2008 to date in 2013; the total number of applications for each year; the total number of persons who are refused medical cards after request for renewal for every year since 2008 to date in 2013; the total number who are granted renewal in the same time period for each year; the total number of persons who have voluntarily surrendered their medical card for every year since 2008 to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49708/13]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
202. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health the total number of discretionary medical cards that have been refused on application since 2008 to date in 2013; the total number of discretionary medical cards that have been refused on renewal since 2008 to date in 2013; the total number of applications that are granted renewal in the same time period for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49709/13]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
203. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons since 2008 who either the Health Service Executive or his Department have referred to enforcement authorities on suspicion of their committing offences under section 49 of the Health Act 1970; the total number of prosecutions which arose from these referrals; the total number of successful prosecutions that arose from these referrals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49710/13]
View answerThe HSE has not, to date, made any referrals to the appropriate authorities under Section 49 of the 1970 Health Act. Medical card eligibility continues to be held on the understanding that a person meets the qualifying criteria. In circumstances where the HSE receives information that proves, on assessment, a person ineligible to hold a medical card, eligibility is withdrawn.
204. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the status of the primary care strategy; and his plans to expand the capacity of primary care through the recruitment of additional therapy staff and practice nurses. [49717/13]
View answerThe implementation of the Primary Care Strategy is an essential component of the health service reform process. The key objective is to develop services in the community which will give people direct access to integrated multidisciplinary teams of general practitioners, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other allied health professionals. At the end of September 2013, there were 423 Primary Care Teams operating, i.e. holding clinical team meetings involving GPs and HSE staff. These Teams provide services for almost 4 million of the population with over 2,600 HSE staff members and almost 1,700 GPs participating.
The Government plans to implement the following key measures in primary care over the remainder of its term in office:
- Introduction of a universal GP service free at the point of access;
- Introduction of a new GP contract;
- Phased roll out of chronic disease management programmes;
- Expansion of the primary care workforce; and
- Continued development of the primary care infrastructure.
The Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service by 2016, as an essential prerequisite to the introduction of Universal Health Insurance. As announced in the Budget, it has been decided to commence the roll-out of a universal GP service by providing all children aged 5 and under with access to a GP service without fees. Additional funding of €37 million has been provided to meet the full year cost of this measure. The new General Practitioner (GP) contract will focus on prevention and will include a requirement for GPs to provide care as part of integrated multidisciplinary Primary Care Teams. The formulation of the new contract will have regard to the constraints of Irish and EU Competition Law, particularly with regard to the setting of fees and allowances.
The HSE is developing chronic disease management programmes to improve patient access and to manage patient care in an integrated manner across service settings, resulting in best health outcomes, enhanced clinical decision making and the most effective use of resources. The HSE National Service Plan and Operational Plan for 2014 will see a continued focus on the Asthma, Diabetes and COPD programmes which are particularly relevant to primary care.
Funding of €20 million has been provided to recruit 264.5 additional Primary Care staff, including Public Health Nurses; Registered General Nurses; Occupational Therapists; Physiotherapists; and Speech & Language Therapists. Almost 100 of these posts are now filled or have start dates agreed and approximately 80 are at final stages of recruitment (i.e. Garda clearance). In addition, since the Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Act 2012 came into effect on 12 March 2012, an additional 246 GPs have obtained a GMS contract.
Primary Care Centres (PCCs) are being developed through a combination of public and private investment to facilitate the delivery of multidisciplinary care. Considerable progress has been made and 34 PCCs have opened since March 2011. Work is underway at 15 locations involving a combination of refurbishment, extension of properties and new build through direct exchequer investment. Under the 'operational lease' mechanism, construction is underway at 6 locations and planning permission has been granted at an additional 22 locations. In addition, the HSE is working with the National Development Finance Agency to progress PCCs through the Public Private Partnership programme. I am satisfied that the implementation of these key measures will play a significant part in the refocusing of health services in line with the Government's health reform programme.
