Written Answers Nos. 364-374
364. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a proposal to expand breast cancer screening for women under 50 years of age as statistics are proving that an increasing number of persons aged under 50 years are suffering from breast cancer. [19984/14]
View answerThe BreastCheck Programme provides free mammograms every two years to all women aged 50-64. BreastCheck continually reviews new and emerging evidence on screening benefits, including the optimum age range for screening. International evidence does not support the introduction of population-based breast screening below the age of 50. Women of any age who have concerns about breast cancer should seek the advice of their GP who will, if appropriate, refer them to the symptomatic breast services in one of the eight designated cancer centres.
365. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that there are 300 people on the waiting list for nursing orientation courses in the Cork University Hospital and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19986/14]
View answerMy Department initiated discussions with the Health Service Executive (HSE) to increase the number of adaptation places for nurses and midwives wishing to work in Ireland. As a result, the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director has been actively working with HSE Acute Hospital Services and Nursing Homes Ireland to increase the number of adaptation and assessment places available to nurses and midwives who require these placements. A one year project will commence shortly which should result in an increased number of places being available from July 2014. At present arrangements are being finalised for this project and a communication will be issued via Nursing Homes Ireland when this is agreed. In relation to your particular query, I have forwarded this to the HSE for direct response to you.
366. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for surgery will be expedited in respect of a person in County Limerick. [19987/14]
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 query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him on this matter.
367. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application in respect of persons in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20017/14]
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.
368. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the action he will take to expedite emergency visas for nurses and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20018/14]
View answerThe processing of visas for nurses is a matter for the Department of Justice. Before a visa application can be submitted it is necessary for a person to obtain an employment permit. The issuance of employment permits is a matter for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Where necessary, arrangements are in place to expedite the processing of employment permits and visas.
369. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the long delays with An Bord Altranais to clear PIN numbers for nurse registration and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20019/14]
View answerRegistration of nurses and midwives is the responsibility of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). I have forwarded your request to the NMBI for direct reply.
370. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a replacement set of dentures will be provided to a person in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20021/14]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Service Scheme (DTSS) provides access to dental treatment for adult medical card holders. All medical card holders are entitled to specific dental treatments, e.g., an annual dental examination, two fillings in each calendar year, extractions as necessary. Additional treatments are available to persons with specific medical conditions including persons in receipt of care or services for a disability and persons on a register of disability. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
371. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the assistance that will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in relation to the urgent funding needed under the nursing homes support package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20022/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
372. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) in County Kildare while on the urgent list for surgery in Crumlin children's hospital is unable to obtain a surgery date, the impact of which has the potential to create secondary long term effects; when will the child be provided with a surgery date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20028/14]
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 query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him on this matter.
373. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for long-term illness card in respect of a person, details supplied, in County Limerick. [20032/14]
View answerThe HSE is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the HSE has been asked to investigate the details of this case and reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
374. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to progress the health situation of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford who has been on a waiting list for a gastric bypass since 2008; the length of time they will be expected to wait for this procedure; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this person also needs a hip replacement but their orthopaedic surgeon is delaying the operation until they receive a gastric bypass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20034/14]
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.
