Written Answers Nos. 637-661
637. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that there is an investment in highlighting and informing the public about the dangers of endometriosis which is a particular issue with regard to women's health. [8963/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
638. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the number of persons covered by the GMS scheme in each of the Dublin postcodes according to the latest available figures. [8964/14]
View answerThe HSE does not collate data on the Medical Card and GP Visit Card Register on the basis of Dublin postcodes. Data is, however, recorded by Dublin Local Health Office Areas on the number of persons with approved eligibility to a medical card or a GP visit card, as on 1 February 2014, as detailed below.
|
LHO AREA |
NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE PERSONS ON MEDICAL CARDS AS AT 1ST FEBRUARY 2014 |
NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE PERSONS ON GP VISIT CARDS AS AT 1ST FEBRUARY 2014 |
|
DUBLIN SOUTH |
24,441 |
1,339 |
|
DUBLIN SOUTH EAST |
24,583 |
1,501 |
|
DUBLIN SOUTH CITY |
38,197 |
2,040 |
|
DUBLIN SOUTH WEST |
67,917 |
3,730 |
|
DUBLIN WEST |
61,783 |
4,064 |
|
NORTH WEST DUBLIN |
69,122 |
3,832 |
|
DUBLIN NORTH CENTRAL |
54,389 |
3,557 |
|
NORTH DUBLIN |
80,763 |
5,279 |
|
TOTAL |
421.195 |
25,342 |
639. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the reason there are 56 posts in child and adolescent mental health services which were sanctioned last year and have not been filled, and 15 posts which were sanctioned in 2012 which have not been filled, according to a recent Health Service Executive report. [8965/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
640. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health given that many smokers have found e-cigarettes a good substitute for smoking, and that there has been a huge increase in people giving up smoking by using e-cigarettes, if it is legal for any public, private or semi-State company to ban e-cigarettes or any other electronic mechanism that administers nicotine from an office setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8977/14]
View answerThe item the Deputy refers to is an e-cigarette. My Department does not have information on the number of smokers using e-cigarettes to assist them in giving up smoking.
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 order to harmonise regulation of e-cigarettes across EU Member States, the new Tobacco Products Directive,which still has to be formally adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of Europe will, inter alia, provide for the regulation of e-cigarettes. The Tobacco Directive will
- set mandatory safety and quality requirements e.g. on nicotine content, ingredients and devices, as well as refill mechanisms etc., for e-cigarettes.
- 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 Tobacco Products Directive does not cover rules on smoke free environments in relation to e-cigarettes.
As e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco they are not prohibited under the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 to 2011. Agencies can, however, on a voluntary basis have policies in this regard.
642. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a postgraduate course for persons who have qualified in psychiatric nursing to further study in general nursing; if so, when this course will be available; the centres in which this course will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8983/14]
View answerMy Department has not received a proposal to provide a postgraduate course to facilitate psychiatric nurses transferring to general nursing. However, should such a proposal be made, my Chief Nursing Officer would be happy to examine it in the context of the range of nurse training programmes which are provided.
643. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8993/14]
View answerIn relation to the particular patient query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
644. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form a breakdown the number of persons on methadone treatment for substance addiction recovery; the number of treatment centres and prescribing doctors; the annual cost per patient; the annual cost per prescribing doctor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8994/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not readily available to my Department. As this is a service mater, I have referred the Deputy's query to the HSE for direct reply.
645. 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. [8997/14]
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.
646. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a GMS card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford. [9001/14]
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.
647. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the research his Department carried out regarding the potential health risks of erecting industrial wind turbines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9009/14]
View answerThe Deputy Chief Medical Officer has advised that following a request from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding the health effects of wind turbines, a review of the published literature was conducted. This was a general overview mainly based on a comprehensive 2009 literature review conducted by the Australian Government’s National Health and Medical Research Council in 2009. The Deputy Chief Medical Officer further confirmed that there is no primary research being conducted in Ireland at present on this issue.
648. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for glasses in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9012/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
649. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of Health Service Executive employees who have been removed from its sick leave scheme in each of the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 in each of its administrative regions; the number of employees disciplined or dismissed for abuse of the sick leave scheme in each of the same years in each of the administrative areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9014/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
650. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health when he expects a planning application to be submitted in respect of a primary care centre in Ballinrobe, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9016/14]
View answerDelivery of healthcare facilities is a service matter. Therefore the question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
651. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Offaly receives an appointment for orthodontic treatment without delay. [9078/14]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
652. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the long waiting list for occupational therapy and speech and language therapy in areas (details supplied) in County Dublin in view of the very strong demand for these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9080/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
653. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the closure of the Women’s Therapy Centre Ireland, 23 Herbert Street, Dublin 2; the steps that can be taken to prevent the closure of this vital facility for so many women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9091/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
655. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding beds in Kenmare Community Hospital. [9105/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
657. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is fair, right and proper that all persons who are on a transplant list for any organ should automatically be entitled to a full medical card or a long-term illness card due to their medical condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9117/14]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means. The Act provides that persons who are unable, without undue hardship, to arrange GP services for themselves and family qualify for a medical card. The HSE can only award medical cards in accordance with the Act and, therefore, it must assess applicants on the overall financial situation of the applicant and his or her dependants. The HSE gives effect to this legislation through its Medical Card National Assessment Guidelines.
While there is no legal basis for the HSE to award medical cards on the basis of a specific medical condition, the HSE has, however, discretion to grant a medical card in certain circumstances. If an applicant’s means are above the financial thresholds, set out in the national guidelines, the HSE examines for any indication of circumstances (medical or social), which might result in undue financial hardship in the arranging of medical services. Eligibility may be granted on a discretionary basis if these circumstances are such that a person cannot arrange GP services for themselves and their family without undue financial hardship.
Discretion must be exercised by the HSE but the fundamental provision in the 1970 Act is that a person is assessed on the basis of undue hardship in arranging a GP service, having regard to his or her means. The HSE must, of course, operate within the legal parameters as set out in the Act, while also responding to the variety of circumstances and complexities faced by individuals who apply for a medical card.
The HSE has a system in place for the provision of medical cards in response to an emergency situation for persons with a serious medical condition in need of urgent or on-going medical care that they cannot afford and persons in palliative care, who are terminally ill. These are issued within 24 hours of receipt of the required patient details and a letter which confirms the medical condition from a doctor or consultant.
With the exception of terminally ill patients, all emergency cards are issued on the basis that the patent is eligible for a medical card on means or undue hardship and will follow up with a full application within a number of weeks of receiving the emergency card. As a result, emergency medical cards are issued to a named individual, with a limited eligibility period of six months. There are no proposals to change these processes.
658. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health his views on a submission (details supplied); if the costs as outlined by a nursing home are within the guidelines of the legislation; if he is satisfied that a patient should be charged €3 per item in regard to delivery of samples and collection of prescriptions; if a person should have to pay for a care assistant at the rate of €10 per hour; if it is correct that a patient has to pay €15 per month for Health Information Quality Authority costs; if the stated payments are applicable if a person was an inpatient since 20 August 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9124/14]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme provides financial support towards the cost of long-term residential care services in nursing homes. The Scheme covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care, which are:-
- nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person,
- bed and board,
- basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living, and
- laundry service.
A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the Medical Card Scheme or the Drugs Payment Scheme, is unaffected by participation in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme or residence in a nursing home. Incontinence wear, where required, is provided free of charge by the HSE to all Nursing Homes Support Scheme residents that possess a Medical Card.
Part 8 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009 stipulates that the registered provider of the nursing home must agree a contract with each resident within one month of their admission. This contract must include details of the services to be provided to that resident and the fees to be charged. Residents should not be charged fees which are not set out in the contract.
The HSE is not a party to such contracts which are concluded between each resident and their nursing home.
All nursing homes must register with the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and comply with the conditions and requirements laid down by HIQA in this context. Fees are payable by operators for initial application for registration, for variation or removal of any conditions of registration, and an annual fee is also payable by each registered provider.
As stated earlier, the Nursing Homes Support Scheme covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care, for which no additional charges should be levied on residents. As compliance with HIQA requirements, including payment of appropriate fees, is mandatory for all operators providing even these standard components of nursing home care, it is not clear how an additional charge for residents based on standard HIQA fees can be justified.
Furthermore, under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) negotiates the price for long-term residential care with private nursing home owners on behalf of the State. In the course of its negotiations, the NTPF factors in the fees associated with the registration and inspection of nursing homes as part of the reasonable day to day running costs associated with the provision of long-term residential care services.
659. Deputy Finian McGrath 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. [9136/14]
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.
660. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding St. Michael's House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9174/14]
View answerThe vision for the Health Service Executive's Disability Services Programme is to contribute to the realisation of a society where people with disabilities are supported, as far as possible, to participate to their full potential in economic and social life, and have access to a range of quality personal social supports and services including respite care to enhance their quality of life.
The Health Service Executive National Service Plan 2014 and the recently published 2014 Operational Plan for the Social Care Division outline the quantum of specialist services, the key reform initiatives and the additional investment in 2014 which it has assured me will give effect to this vision in 2014. The HSE will spend €1.4 billion and employ a staff level of approximately 15,000 whole time equivalents in 2014 to provide specified levels of services.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
661. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 has not yet received a Health Service Executive psychological assessment despite the family having requested one for a number of years; and when the required assessment will take place. [9188/14]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
