Written Answers Nos. 185-190
185. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the extent to which there is a problem of persons with chronic conditions visiting hospital accident and emergency departments in an effort to secure quicker treatment than on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26256/14]
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 him on this matter.
186. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the workings of Irish hospitals have been examined by the Health Service Executive with a view to best establish where savings can be made and to identify where more resources are required. [26257/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
187. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of appointments to State boards under the remit of his Department in each year from 2011 to 2014; the number that were publicly advertised; the reason all appointments are not open to public competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26273/14]
View answerThe nomination and appointment process for boards of bodies under the aegis of the Department of Health is set out in legislation. In line with Government Decision S180/20/10/1424 of 2011, relating to the advertising for expressions of interest in vacancies on State Boards, my Department currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights under relevant legislation. I also appoint members on the nomination of various bodies, again in accordance with the relevant legislation.
There were some exceptions to the advertising process in 2012 and 2013. In 2012, the members of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal were appointed by me, on the advice of the Attorney General, as these members carry out a very specific role in relation to assessing the quantum of awards under the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Act. Another exception was in the case of some hospital boards, e.g. Beaumont and St. James's, where the term of existing members was extended as a prudent provisional measure, to allow time for appropriate competencies required in members of these boards to be set out, given the Health Reform Programme and its impact on hospital configuration. Appointments of the new board members were subsequently advertised.
In 2012 existing board members of the National Paediatric Hospital Board were re-appointed for a 3 month period to allow time to consider the competencies required by board members into the future. In January 2013 four Departmental officials and two HSE nominated officials were appointed for a number of months for the same reason. In July 2013, I appointed the Chairperson and 3 other members for which I had nominating rights.
The following table sets out the number of appointments to State Boards under the remit of my Department, where I have nominating rights, in each year from 2011 to 2014 (to date), including the number that were publicly advertised.
|
Year |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 (to date) |
|
Number of Positions Advertised |
N\A |
98 |
115 |
59* |
|
Ministerial Appointments made where Minister has nominating rights |
34 |
100 |
140 |
57 |
* I am about to make appointments to the two outstanding positions which were advertised in recent weeks.
In addition to the appointments in the above table, persons have been appointed to boards where I as Minister do not have nominating rights. 16 such appointments were made in 2011; 44 such appointments were made in 2012; 65 such appointments were made in 2013 and 27 such appointments have been made to date this year. I have no role in selecting the people to fill these board vacancies.
188. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a medical card patient is making an application for eye tests are they now required to provide a GP letter with each application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26296/14]
View answerThe HSE provides vision tests and standard prescription spectacles to medical card holders. In relation to the procedure for referral, I have asked the HSE to examine this matter and respond to the Deputy directly.
189. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the average ambulance response times throughout the country over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26301/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
190. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied); if the medical card in question will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26302/14]
View answerhealth The 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.
