Written Answers Nos. 216 - 224
216. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will have their medical card extended beyond June 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3228/14]
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.
217. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason the management in the Health Service Executive is saying that the voluntary redundancy facility is voluntary as some staff in hospitals are being refused. [3245/14]
View answerIn 2013 my Department authorised the introduction of a targeted voluntary redundancy facility in the HSE and in organisations funded by the HSE under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004. The purpose of the facility is to achieve a permanent reduction in numbers and to facilitate ongoing health sector reform. This facility will provide managers with the scope to reduce employee numbers in the context of changing health sector structures under the health reform programme. The targeted voluntary redundancy facility was introduced in the HSE with effect from 1st January 2014. It is important to emphasise that there is no automatic right to voluntary redundancy; staff may be offered voluntary redundancy in the context of current and future business needs and service provision priorities.
218. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [3248/14]
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.
219. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card reviews carried out in 2013; the number of cards cancelled as a result; the number of cards that were cancelled for failure to complete the review process in time; the number of these subsequently reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3253/14]
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.
220. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure access to appropriate treatment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford. [3277/14]
View answerIn relation to the particular issue raised by the Deputy I have asked the HSE to investigate this matter and respond directly to the Deputy.
221. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding general practitioner cards (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3282/14]
View answerThe Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service 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 measure will require primary legislation which is being drafted. The Department and the HSE are currently considering the changes that need to be made to the GMS contract to facilitate the roll-out of GP services free to all children aged 5 and under. Under the existing medical card and GP visit card contracts, it is always open to GPs to choose to participate or not and similar arrangements will apply under the new legislation. The Government is aiming to have this measure in place around the middle of this year.
222. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or his Department has received a submission from Positive Action in relation to women who received Anti D but who are testing negative; the actions he is taking in relation to the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3289/14]
View answerI have recently received a submission from Positive Action in relation to women who received Anti D but who have never tested antibody positive for the virus. I have reviewed the issues raised and I am satisfied that the current legislation is fair and reasonable and so there are no plans to amend it. Section 4 of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Act (No.34 of l997), as amended, sets out the categories of persons who can make a claim before the Compensation Tribunal. This Act was amended by the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Act, 2006 (No.22 of 2006) where it is clearly defined that those who can make a claim must have been "diagnosed positive for Hepatitis C". It is estimated that up to 16,000 women in Ireland were exposed to potentially infectious batches of Anti-D. Approximately 1,000 of these women were infected with Hepatitis C and were therefore eligible to apply to the Tribunal for compensation.
223. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or his Department are considering allowing the small number of women who have received Anti D and have side effects but are testing negative to receive medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3290/14]
View answerMedical 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 expenditure, of the applicant and his or her partner and dependants. Currently, persons affected by Symphysiotomy or Thalidomide are automatically entitled to a medical card. Outside of these circumstances, all applications for a medical card are assessed on the basis of an applicant’s means under the assessment guidelines. There are no proposals for any amendments thereon.
Under the legislation, determination of eligibility for a medical card is the responsibility of the HSE. The Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) of the HSE operates the medical card system and contact details are as follows: Web address is www.pcrs.ie, phone/fax numbers: 01 8647100/ 8343589 and postal address: HSE, Finance Shared Services, Primary Care Reimbursement Service, Exit 5 M50, North Road, Finglas, Dublin 11.
224. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if it is the policy of medical card administrators to refuse to speak to members of the public in relation to a complaint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3292/14]
View answerThe HSE does not operate such a policy. If persons are dissatisfied with any aspect of the service being provided by the HSE in relation to the administration of the scheme of eligibility for Medical Cards/GP visit cards, they can address a complaint to the HSE in the following ways:
(i) By phone at Callsave 1890 252 919
(ii) By e-mail at clientregistration@pcrs.ie
(iii) By letter post to Client Registration Unit, PO Box 11745, Finglas, Dublin 11.
If, having addressed the issue through the above points of contact/correspondence, the matter has not been resolved to the person’s satisfaction, he/she can make a formal complaint to the Customer Relations Management Unit, HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service. The Customer Relations Unit can be contacted in the following ways:
(i) By phone at 01 8647100
(ii) By letter post to HSE Customer Relations Management Unit, Primary Care Reimbursement Service, Exit 5, M50, J5 Building, North Road, Finglas, Dublin 11.
If a complaint is made to the Customer Relations Unit, the complaint will be examined thoroughly, a response issued to the customer outlining the findings on the issues complained of and, where appropriate, suitable redress provided. A further right of appeal to the Office of the Ombudsman will be advised to the customer as part of the response.
