Written Answers Nos. 838-853
838. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will receive an appointment in Waterford General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1173/14]
View answerThe management of inpatient and daycase 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.
839. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his plans to review the situation whereby the majority of maternity units are not routinely scanning pregnant women for foetal abnormalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1176/14]
View answerIn relation to the specific information sought by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
840. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the time at which the first call was received in reference to a stabbing incident in Drogheda at Rathmullan Park on New Year's Day; the number of subsequent calls that were received and the time of same; the location from which the ambulance was dispatched to deal with this incident; the ambulances that were available in the north-east region on New Year's Day to deal with this incident and where they were stationed; the time a person (details supplied) was admitted to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; the inquiry or investigation that is taking place into the response of the emergency services to this incident; the optimum time for ambulance cover to reach a patient in the north-east region; if the ambulance arrived on scene; the time at which the ambulance was cancelled; the existing ambulance cover availability for County Louth; where ambulances and emergency vehicles are stationed; and the times at which they are operational. [1179/14]
View answerFirstly I would like to express my sympathy to the family of the person concerned.
The National Ambulance Service has reviewed this incident and I am informed that the nearest available ambulance was tasked to the scene and that there were no care deviations in the ambulance control and dispatch process. The HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the detailed information requested.
841. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when the legislation will be passed which will allow families with children aged five years and under to apply for a GP medical card as announced in budget 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1183/14]
View answer910. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on the provision of free general practitioner care for children under five recently announced; the date on which it will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1763/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 841 and 910 together.
The Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service without fees within its term of office, as set out in the Programme for Government and the Future Health strategy framework. 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. This will mean that almost half of the population will have access to GP services without fees. The Government is providing new, additional funding of €37 million to meet the cost of this measure.
The implementation of this new service requires primary legislation and work on preparing this is ongoing. Preparations are also proceeding in relation to the necessary administrative arrangements. Details of application procedures and the start date for the new service will be announced in due course.
842. 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. [1230/14]
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.
843. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appeal for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1231/14]
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.
844. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding dispensing of medicines in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1236/14]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
846. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when an appointment with the Health Service Executive early intervention services will be provided to a child (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1241/14]
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.
847. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is covered under their parents' medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1243/14]
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.
Question No. 848 answered with Question No. 788.
849. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to formulate and publish a policy document on electronic cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1255/14]
View answer909. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the regulation of electronic cigarettes; and if he will provide details of the nature of the regulation that will be proposed. [1749/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 849 and 909 together.
Tobacco Free Ireland, Ireland’s tobacco control policy, states that the general consensus at European level is that there is a lack of research in relation to the long term health effects of e-cigarettes and a lack of sufficient evidence that they aid with smoking cessation.
In Ireland the current position is that if these products are not presented as medicinal products for smoking cessation or as medical devices with a therapeutic purpose, they do not fall under the medicinal products or medical devices legislation. As e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco they are currently not regulated under our tobacco legislation.
In order to harmonise the way EU Member States regulate e-cigarettes, the new Tobacco Products Directive being developed by the European Commission will, inter alia, provide for the regulation of e-cigarettes. It is anticipated that the Directive will be adopted formally by Council later this year following a vote in the European Parliament. Member States will have two years to transpose the Directive.
The Tobacco Directive will set mandatory safety and quality requirements e.g. nicotine content, ingredients and devices, as well as refill mechanisms etc. for e-cigarettes that do not fall under the definition of medicinal products of Directive 2001/83/EC. The new Directive will make health warnings and information leaflets obligatory, introduce notification requirements for manufacturers and importers of e-cigarettes, impose stricter rules on advertising and monitoring of market developments. The Directive will also enable Member States and the European Commission to react in the case of any identified health concerns related to these products.
In light of the above and in view of the emerging evidence base around E-Cigarettes, I have asked my Department to review the issue in order to inform policy and regulation in this area.
850. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to the Topical Issue debate of 18 December 2013, if he has received a response from the Health Service Executive; if he will now hold an independent investigation into all of the circumstances surrounding this case and its handling by HSE management; the steps taken to trace patients of both the public and private dental clinics involved; if he can reassure patients that there is no infection risk as a result of this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1257/14]
View answerAn Expert Group established by the HSE investigated public health aspects of this case and determined that the risk of infection is miniscule. Given the low risk of infection the HSE considers that a look back/ patient notification exercise is not necessary. The HSE has referred the matter to the Dental Council. In the circumstances, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment.
851. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will make additional resources available and appoint additional occupational therapists and speech and language therapists for children with autism and special needs in County Kerry between the age of 0 and 18 years; if he will take into consideration that there are cases in the county in which occupational therapists are working a two and a half day week, looking after up to 250 clients; if he will provide a detailed report in respect of the additional resources and services that he will make available for young adults over 18 years of age with autism and special needs in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1276/14]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has recognised the need to increase the level of consistency and standardisation in the way both early intervention services and services for school-aged children with disabilities, including autism, are delivered. It is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing therapy resources to geographic based teams for children (0-18 years) as part of the National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years).
The Programme is organised at national, regional and local level and includes representatives from the health and education sectors, service providers (both statutory and non-statutory) and parents. These stakeholders are working together to see how current services can be reorganised in line with agreed policy.
The purpose of the reconfiguration of existing therapy resources is to ensure that the resources available are used to best effect, in order to provide health supports and ongoing therapy to all children (0-18 years) in line with their prioritised needs.
My Department has asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy on the issues raised concerning service provision in County Kerry for children and young adults with special needs, including autism.
852. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding occupational therapy in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1279/14]
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.
853. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the impending closure of the mobile BreastCheck unit in Crumlin; his plans to replace this service for women in Crumlin, Kilmainham, the south inner city and surrounding areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1289/14]
View answerThe Deputy's questions relate to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to her.
