Written Answers Nos. 628-648
628. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the age for free mammograms through the BreastCheck screening programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17807/14]
View answerThe BreastCheck Programme offers free mammograms to all women aged 50-64. A priority of the BreastCheck Programme at present is to maximise national uptake in the 50-64 year age cohort. It also aims to extend the upper age range to include the 65-69 age cohort as soon as possible in line with available resources.
629. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding securing a premises or funding for a premises in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Kerry [17808/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
630. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2 of 16 May 2012, and his stated willingness to review the matter with a view to finding some definable way of addressing it to everybody’s satisfaction, if he will use his powers under the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Act 1997 to make available the measures provided for the majority who have tested positive, to the small number of women who received blood products from contaminated batches of anti-D in the 1977-79 and 1991-1994 periods but who are testing negative while experiencing severe health problems consistent with testing positive; and if he will schedule a date to meet with representatives of the Positive Action group. [17820/14]
View answerSection 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 Tribunal. The 2006 amendment to this Act (Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Act, 2006) 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 were infected with Hepatitis C and were therefore eligible to apply to the Tribunal for compensation.
The issue of recipients of Anti-D who have not tested positive for Hepatitis C and who have not had a positive Tribunal decision in their favour has been fully considered. While some women who have tested negative for Hepatitis C have experienced a variety of symptoms, there is no scientific proof that the symptoms are evidence of Hepatitis C infection. Indeed, some symptoms of Hepatitis C, such as fatigue, fibromyalgia and depression, are common conditions among the general population. In view of this, and in the light of practice internationally, I have no plans for legislative change in this area.
631. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive an appointment for treatment at Beaumont Hospital. [17827/14]
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.
632. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a dentist last visited a school (details supplied); when they are next scheduled to visit this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17828/14]
View answerThe Health Service Executive provides a dental service to school children aged up to 16 years. The Health Service Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the specific query raised.
633. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health in reference to recommendation 20.5 of A Vision for Change, the identity of the current chair and members of the monitoring group; the date of their last submitted report; the details of his response to that report; the actions taken to address any issues identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17830/14]
View answerA Vision for Change recommended the establishment of an Independent Monitoring Group to oversee its implementation in line with recommendation 20.5. The Monitoring Group reported annually and produced a final Annual Report in June 2012 after 7 years, having regard to what had been implemented under A Vision for Change. The final Annual Report welcomed the continued closure of unfit for purpose facilities in favour of modern community based approaches, the decision to develop a new Forensic Mental Health Service and the many local and regional initiatives being developed in line with AVFC. However, the Monitoring Group also reported that the implementation of AVFC to date had been slow and inconsistent and recommended the establishment of National Mental Health Service Directorate, the development of an implementation plan and the development of multidisciplinary community mental health teams.
AVFC contained a commitment that it would be reviewed after 7 years. It was decided to give priority to the review the Mental Health Act 2001, after which consideration would again be given to reviewing AVFC and establishing independent monitoring arrangements. I expect that the review of the Act will be completed and presented to me in the coming months. In the light of the decision to review the 2001 Act, the Independent Monitoring Group was not re-appointed at the end of the 7-year period.
In the intervening period, and taking account of the final Annual Report of the Monitoring Group in 2012, this Government has prioritised the continued implementation and reform of our mental health services in line with AVFC. It is committed, in particular, to the delivery of more and better quality care in the community. Since 2012, an additional €90 million and some 1,100 posts have been provided for up to end 2014, primarily to strengthen Community Mental Health Teams for both adults and children and to enhance specialist community mental health services for older people with a mental illness, those with an intellectual disability and mental illness, and Forensic mental health services.
The establishment last year of the HSE Mental Health Services Division and the appointment of the National Director for Mental Health, delivers on a key recommendation of AVFC. This new Division carries operational and financial authority and accountability for all mental services. I expect that this new structure within the HSE will accelerate the pace of change in the development of our mental health services.
The Department of Health works closely with the HSE Mental Health Directorate on all aspects of planning and implementation around A Vision for Change. The HSE's National Service Plan for 2014, which sets out the type and volume of health and social services the HSE will provide during the course of this year, also commits to a number of new key deliverables in 2014, including continuing to progress the multi-annual priorities from previous years, implementing the Access Protocol for 16 and 17 year olds to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, and reconfiguring General Adult Community Mental Health Teams to serve populations of 50,000 as recommended in AVFC. Accordingly A Vision for Change has been given a renewed focus in this year's Service Plan, where the HSE has specifically committed to develop an implementation plan at the operational level for the last 3 years of its term. During 2014, the HSE will also develop a Standard Model of Care and will focus on developing a major work stream within the Mental Health Clinical Programme, informed by engagement with internal and external stakeholders. Both initiatives are fully in line with the objectives behind the original recommendation 20.5 in A Vision for Change.
634. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the way he will address the issues identified in recent media reports (details supplied) regarding delays in admitting suicidal patients and patients experiencing severe psychotic episodes; to the concerns expressed by psychiatrists about other such patients being discharged earlier than medically prudent and reports that mental health services in north Dublin are in crisis mode; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17832/14]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
635. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will request the medical assessment unit to urgently re-examine a medical card appeal in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17837/14]
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.
636. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a patient who is referred to accident and emergency by an optician or optometrist is liable for a €100 charge; his views on the rationale for this; if he will look at changing this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17839/14]
View answerThe Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2013 provides for a €100 charge for out-patient services provided at an emergency department, an accident and emergency department, a casualty department, a minor injury unit, an urgent care centre, a local injury unit or any other facility providing similar services, subject to certain exemptions under Article 3. Under Article 3(h) a person who has a letter of referral from a registered medical practitioner is exempt from this charge. Any medical practitioner who wishes to practise medicine in Ireland is required by law (the Medical Practitioners Act 2007) to be registered with the Medical Council. The Opticians Board is the registration and regulatory body for optometrists and dispensing opticians. Opticians and optometrists are therefore not registered with the Medical Council and consequently a letter of referral from an optician or optometrist will not provide an exemption from this charge. There are no plans to change this legislation.
637. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the progress and location for the proposed primary care centre in Balbriggan, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17843/14]
View answerDelivery of health care facilities is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
638. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the progress and location for the proposed primary care centre in Swords, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17844/14]
View answerDelivery of health care facilities is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
639. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health when he will publish the reports of Judge Yvonne Murphy and Professor Oonagh Walsh, of which he has been in possession since last May; if he will publish both of these reports in their entirety; and if he will, in accordance with the principles of equality of arms and procedural fairness, publish both of these reports well in advance of July 2014, when the adequacy of the Government's response to the victims of symphysiotomy will be addressed in Geneva by the UN Human Rights Committee. [17846/14]
View answerSince coming into office, I have endeavoured to satisfactorily facilitate closure for around 250 women affected by symphysiotomy. On 26 November 2013, Government approved the appointment of retired Circuit Court Judge Yvonne Murphy to assist in setting out a possible course of action in relation to women who have undergone symphysiotomies. Judge Murphy commenced her review of issues relating to Symphysiotomy in December and has recently submitted her report to me. I am closely examining the report and its recommendations. I will bring a Memorandum to Government in the coming weeks, so that a decision can be taken as early as possible regarding next steps, including the question of publication of Judge Murphy's report.
Any proposals brought to Government will also take into account of the findings of the independent research report on Symphysiotomy in Ireland 1944-1984, which was commissioned by my Department (the Walsh Report), along with any other relevant information. It is intended that the Walsh Report will be published once the Government has decided on its response to this complex and sensitive issue.
640. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans to appoint two additional consultants to ensure that Roscommon County Hospital complies with the model 2 requirements in his Department's acute medicine programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17848/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
641. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17850/14]
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.
642. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the length of the waiting list for hip operations at Cappagh Hospital; when a person (details supplied) in County Dublin may expect to receive a date for their operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17854/14]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to the particular queries raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him in this matter.
643. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a document entitled, terms of reference Health Service Executive review of Roman Catholic chaplaincy services in partnership with the Catholic Healthcare Commission May 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17863/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
644. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health the process whereby the Government issued a policy statement to the effect that all chaplains, that is, those of faith groups as well as those of secular beliefs, be equally accommodated in all respects in Government Departments where chaplains operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17866/14]
View answerI am not aware of a Government process relating to the issue raised by the Deputy. In relation to the health services, the Health Service Executive recognises the value of facilitating, as broadly as possible, spiritual, pastoral and related care for patients, their families and staff. As the specific issue raised in relation to faith groups is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
645. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in determining eligibility for assistance under the nursing home support scheme in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17874/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
646. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will reschedule, to an earlier date, his meeting with representatives of persons attending a school (details supplied) in County Kerry, with regard to the very serious issues that they have in taking care of children with special needs. [17885/14]
View answerThe meeting to which the Deputy refers is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 6th May 2014. Unfortunately, due to the many competing demands on my time, it is not possible to bring this date forward.
647. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a cataract operation in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17896/14]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him in this matter.
648. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if Letterkenny General Hospital met the waiting list target set by the special delivery unit to the effect that no adult should have been waiting longer than eight months for an inpatient or day-case procedure at the end of 2013; if this target was not met, the length of time an adults are being obliged to wait for an inpatient or day-case procedure; the number of adults currently waiting longer than eight months for an inpatient or day-case procedure; the number of adults who were waiting longer than eight months for an inpatient or day-case procedure at the end of 2013; if those patients who were waiting longer than eight months at the end of 2013 have now had their appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17899/14]
View answer656. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if Letterkenny General Hospital is meeting the waiting list target set by the special delivery unit to the effect that no child should wait longer than 20 weeks for an inpatient or day-case procedure; if this target is not being met, the length of time a child must wait for an inpatient or day-case procedure; the number of children who are currently waiting longer than 20 weeks for an inpatient or day-case procedure; the number of children who were waiting longer than 20 weeks for an inpatient or day-case procedure at the end of 2013; and if those children who were waiting longer than 20 weeks at the end of 2013 have now had their appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17918/14]
View answer657. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if Letterkenny General Hospital is meeting the waiting list target set by the special delivery unit to the effect that no patient should wait longer than 13 weeks for an endoscopy; if this target is not being met, the length of time a patient must wait for an endoscopy; the number of patients that are currently waiting longer than 13 weeks for an endoscopy and the number of patients who were waiting longer than 13 weeks for an endoscopy at the end of 2013; if those patients who were waiting longer than 13 weeks at the end of 2013 have now had their appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17921/14]
View answer658. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if Letterkenny General Hospital is meeting the waiting list target set by the special delivery unit to the effect that no patient should wait longer than 12 months for an outpatient appointment; if this target is not being met, the length of time a patient must wait for an outpatient appointment; the number of patients who have been waiting longer than 12 months for an outpatient appointment; the number of patients who were waiting longer than 12 months for such appointments at the end of 2013; if those patients who were waiting longer than 12 months at the end of 2013 have now had their appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17927/14]
View answer668. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the total number of adults that were waiting for an inpatient or day-case procedure in Letterkenny General Hospital at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and Q1 2014; the total number of adults that were waiting for an inpatient or day-case procedure in Letterkenny General Hospital for longer than eight months at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and Q1 2014; if those adults who were waiting for an inpatient or day-case procedure in Letterkenny General Hospital for longer than eight months at the end of 2013 have had their appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18003/14]
View answer669. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the total number of adults aged over 65 that were waiting for an inpatient or day-case procedure in Letterkenny General Hospital at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and Q1 2014; the total number of adults aged over 65 that were waiting for an inpatient or day-case procedure in Letterkenny General Hospital for longer than eight months at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and Q1 2014; if those adults aged over 65 who were waiting for an inpatient or day-case procedure in Letterkenny General Hospital for longer than eight months at the end of 2013 have had their appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18004/14]
View answer671. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the total number of children that were waiting for an inpatient or day-case procedure in Letterkenny General Hospital at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and Q1 2014; the total number of children that were waiting for an inpatient or day-case procedure in Letterkenny General Hospital for longer than eight months at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and Q1 2014; if those children who were waiting for an inpatient or day-case procedure in Letterkenny General Hospital for longer than eight months at the end of 2013 have had their appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18028/14]
View answer672. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the total number of patients that were waiting for an outpatient procedure in Letterkenny General Hospital at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and Q1 2014; the total number of patients that were waiting for an outpatient procedure in Letterkenny General Hospital for longer than 12 months at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and Q1 2014; if those adults who were waiting for an outpatient procedure in Letterkenny General Hospital for longer than 12 months at the end of 2013 have had their appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18032/14]
View answer673. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health provide, in tabular form, the total number of patients aged over 65 that were waiting for an outpatient procedure in Letterkenny General Hospital at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and Q1 2014; the total number of patients aged over 65 that were waiting for an outpatient procedure in Letterkenny General Hospital for longer than 12 months at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and Q1 2014; if those patients aged over 65 who were waiting for an outpatient procedure in Letterkenny General Hospital for longer than 12 months at the end of 2013 have had their appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18038/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 648, 656 to 658, inclusive, 668, 669 and 671 to 673, inclusive, together.
In relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
