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Thursday, 15 May 2014

Written Answers Nos. 240-250

Nursing Home Services

Questions (240)

Billy Timmins

Question:

240. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the provision of physiotherapy as a necessity rather than an optional extra in the care plan for elderly residents; if the provision of physiotherapy falls within the definition of long-term residential care services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21948/14]

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Written answers

The 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 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.

In determining the services covered by the Scheme, it was considered very important that nursing home residents and taxpayers would be protected and would not end up paying for the same services twice. For this reason, goods and services that are already available to individuals under an existing scheme are not covered by the Scheme.

A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the Medical Care Scheme or the Drug 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. Individuals availing of the Scheme should not be charged any additional fee over and above the contribution which has been calculated by the HSE, except where they choose to obtain additional services over and above long-term residential care services.

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 requires the Minister to lay details of the goods and services which constitute long-term residential care services in public nursing homes before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The full list of goods and services which was laid before the Houses is available on the Department's website at: www.health.gov.ie.

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 party to such contracts which are concluded between each resident and their nursing home.

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme is currently the subject of a review. This Review will consider the sustainability of the Scheme as well as examining the overall cost of long-term residential care in public and private nursing homes and the effectiveness of the current methods of negotiating/setting prices. Work on the Review is on-going. It is expected that the Review will be completed in the coming months and the Report will then be made publicly available.

Health Services

Questions (241)

Jack Wall

Question:

241. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will have a needs assessment carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21962/14]

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Written answers

As the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Ambulance Service Provision

Questions (242)

Denis Naughten

Question:

242. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken on foot of a whistleblower's report into the ambulance service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21970/14]

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Written answers

I have forwarded the material provided by the Deputy to the National Ambulance Service and requested that I be provided with a report on the matter.

Primary Care Reimbursement Service Payments

Questions (243)

Clare Daly

Question:

243. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the Health Service Executive's PCRS will engage in full consultation with patients, specialist nurses and manufacturers of stoma pouches and management products, as not all patient associations representing persons needing to use stoma management products have been contacted in relation to the HSE review, and recognise that access to a full range of high quality, innovative stoma pouches and stoma management products is essential in order that persons can live as normal a life as possible and discreetly manage their stoma care. [21972/14]

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Written answers

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services

Questions (244)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

244. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when language, speech and physiotherapy services will be restored in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21980/14]

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Written answers

The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Ambulance Service Provision

Questions (245)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

245. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the ambulance service in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21981/14]

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Written answers

In relation to the detailed query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.

Treatment Benefit Scheme Application Numbers

Questions (246)

Brian Walsh

Question:

246. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have applied to receive treatment abroad under the E112 scheme in respect of eating disorders in the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; the number of these persons whose applications were approved; and the cost of the treatment funded by the Health Service Executive in each case. [21988/14]

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Written answers

The Health Service Executive (HSE) operates a Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland under EU Regulation 883/04, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulation 987/09, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. Subject to the EU Regulations and Guidelines, the TAS provides for the cost of approved treatments in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland through the issue of form E112 (IE) where the treatment is:

- Among the benefits provided for by Irish legislation,

- Not available in Ireland,

- Not available within the time normally necessary for obtaining it in Ireland, taking account of the patient's current state of health and the probable course of the disease.

A decision is made on each application in accordance with this legislation and guidelines and on the basis of a review by clinical experts. The cost of the treatment is not a deciding factor when approving an application. The treatment must not be available within the State or not available within a time normally necessary for obtaining it.

In compliance with the HSE's guidance on patient confidentiality and data protection, the release of statistical information is based on a volume of cases of five or greater. In 2009, the number of persons who applied to receive treatment abroad under the E112 scheme in respect of eating disorders and whose applications were approved was 5 and the cost of treatment was €395,820.47. In 2010 there were no applications. As regards information for 2011, 2012, and 2013 I regret that I am informed by the HSE that the number of such cases is not great enough to ensure compliance with their guidance on patient confidentiality and data protection legislation, based on volume of cases and therefore, they are not in a position to release this information.

Health Services Data

Questions (247)

Brian Walsh

Question:

247. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have availed of addiction services in each LHO area in each of the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, specifying the type of addiction service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21999/14]

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Written answers

The HSE provides addiction services in a number of treatment settings to meet the needs of individual drug users. These settings include:

- primary care through GPs and community pharmacies;

- satellite clinics that facilitate opioid substitution provision through community pharmacies;

- treatment centres where opioid substitution treatment is dispensed on site and

- residential rehabilitation facilities. 

As the issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Respite Care Services

Questions (248, 249)

Brendan Smith

Question:

248. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his proposals to provide much needed additional respite beds in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22019/14]

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Brendan Smith

Question:

249. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of respite beds available in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22020/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together.

As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Staff

Questions (250)

Brendan Smith

Question:

250. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his proposals to provide much needed additional personnel resources for Cavan-Monaghan hospital in view of the pressures on staff and on the delivery of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22021/14]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

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