Written Answers Nos. 169-174
169. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive will be recruiting administration staff for the hospital in Portlaoise and Tullamore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16881/14]
View answerAs this is an operational matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
170. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the reason there are only 15 special beds available for patients with spinal injuries in the Mater hospital when there was previously 30 such beds available and now there is a queue of people waiting for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16882/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
171. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a reimbursement in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16891/14]
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.
172. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether every local community should have trained first responders to hand in times of emergency in view of recent reports regarding delays in ambulance response times; if he will support measures to promote this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16910/14]
View answerCommunity response in various forms has long been an important support in the delivery of healthcare in Ireland, and in particular in pre-hospital care. I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the enormous voluntary contribution, commitment and assistance offered by First Responder schemes around the country, in responding to emergency calls over the years.
Community First Responder schemes comprise members of the public who volunteer to assist their local community by attending emergency calls within an agreed radius, and provide basic emergency care while an emergency response vehicle is en route to the patient. It is the local community who initiates the establishment of such a group and a local committee is usually formed to organise and implement its establishment. The local committee contacts the National Ambulance Service (NAS) and a formal process is undertaken to integrate the group within the NAS. Community First Responder schemes who have integrated with the NAS can avail of expert advice, clinical guidance and support including clinical indemnity, replacement of consumables, access to critical incident stress management support and management of clinical waste.
The Deputy may wish to note that the NAS supports the establishment of new groups around the country and encourages all communities to consider the establishment of such schemes in their areas.
173. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will issue an over 70s medical card to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16912/14]
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.
174. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare [16924/14]
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.
