Written Answers Nos. 178-185
178. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the total amount of money that has been saved in the review of the over-70 medical cards and the discretionary medical card up to 1 May; the total cost of the review process to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23665/14]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
179. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Health the reason respite care was refused in respect of a person (details supplied). [23667/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
180. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [23668/14]
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.
181. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6W; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23687/14]
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.
182. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health the reason the expiry date of a medical card was changed arbitrarily from July 2017 to 30 June 2014 in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14; if he will reinstate the original expiry date of July 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23694/14]
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.
183. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health when a rheumatology appointment will be scheduled for a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23703/14]
View answerShould a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific hospital appointment query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
184. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health if an MRI scan will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow. [23719/14]
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.
185. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be carried out in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23741/14]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, 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 the Deputy on this matter.
