Terence Flanagan
Question:218. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding guidelines on discharge from hospitals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54502/13]
View answerHospitals Discharges
Questions (218)
Written answers
In 2008 the HSE developed an Integrated Discharge Planning Code of Practice as a guide to the standards of practice required in the management of integrated discharge planning. In 2011 the HSE established a National Integrated Care Advisory Group (NICAG) to review the existing Integrated Discharge Planning Code of Practice. Following initial consultation last year with staff in hospitals and the community services the NICAG produced a draft National Integrated Care Guidance document which will replace the existing code of practice. This document is being finalised and is expected to be published early in 2014.
This Guidance Document aims to provide practical advice for service providers regarding effective discharge and transfer from hospital to the community. It outlines the nine key steps in effective discharge and transfer of care which will facilitate faster, safer discharges for patients. These steps include identifying whether the person has simple or complex needs, setting an expected date of discharge/transfer within 24/48 hours of admission and reviewing the treatment plan with the person on a daily basis.
In relation to discharge summary information, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has developed a National Standard for Patient Discharge Summary Information as an important step towards improving the whole care pathway and enabling the delivery of safe, person-centred care. When a patient is discharged from hospital to primary care it is essential that complete, relevant and valid information regarding the patient's stay in hospital is sent to the primary care healthcare professional in a timely manner, allowing the primary care professional to continue care and management following discharge. The National Standard for Patient Discharge Summary Information sets out the relevant and important information that should be contained in a patient's summary discharge information. HIQA has submitted the National Standard to me seeking my approval in accordance with Section 8 (1) (k) of the Health Act 2007. My Department is examining this submission.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (219)
John O'Mahony
Question:219. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their application for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54509/13]
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.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (220)
James Bannon
Question:220. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the reason Longford patients are now deemed to be outside the catchment area for the eye and ear hospital in Dublin; the new procedures that have been put in place to facilitate those patients from County Longford in need of appointments/operations and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54510/13]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE endeavours to treat all patients at the earliest possible time and at a place of patient choice, however the HSE advises that patients should in the first instance be referred by their GP to the nearest available service to their area of residence. If a particular service or procedure is not available in the local area, the consultant should then refer the patient to the most appropriate service. In this regard the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital provides a national tertiary referral service for Ophthalmology and Ear Nose Throat services.
Drugs Crime
Questions (221)
Clare Daly
Question:221. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will reverse the funding cuts to the national drugs task force which has resulted in funding to policing forums being dramatically eroded; and the plans he has to ensure that the policing forums are adequately financed. [54513/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware that the funding allocated to Drugs Task Forces for community based drugs initiatives in 2014 has been reduced by 3% on the 2013 allocation. It is a matter for Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces to determine individual project allocations including where a local policing forum is the project promoter. In determining project allocations, Drugs Task Forces are expected to take into account locally identified needs, emerging drug trends and patterns in substance misuse, the evidence base for interventions and the importance of maintaining the drug focus of initiatives.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (222)
John O'Mahony
Question:222. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their application for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54515/13]
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 Delays
Questions (223)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:223. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54518/13]
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 Applications
Questions (224)
John O'Mahony
Question:224. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their application for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54520/13]
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.
Care of the Elderly Provision
Questions (225)
Seán Fleming
Question:225. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will consider establishing a forum on long-term residential care bringing all of the relevant stakeholders involved in the provision of such care for older persons together; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54524/13]
View answerWritten answers
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question Number 598 of 26 November 2013. The position remains unchanged.