Written Answers Nos. 679-703
679. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the expert panel reviewing medical card eligibility will consider including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis on the list of serious or chronic illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29029/14]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
680. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Health the reason the drug Fampyra, which is licensed by the Irish Medicines Board, is not available on the drug rebate scheme; if it is due to a decision, on cost grounds, by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics; and if so, the support he can provide to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29031/14]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The HSE received an application for the inclusion of Fampridine (Fampyra®) in the GMS and community drugs schemes. The application was considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed by the Department of Health and the HSE with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) for the assessment of new medicines. In accordance with these procedures, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) conducted a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of Fampridine and concluded that, as the manufacturer was unable to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of fampridine in the Irish health care setting, it was unable to recommend the reimbursement of the product. The report is available on the NCPE's website (www.ncpe.ie). The NCPE report is an important input to assist the HSE in its decision making process and informs further discussions between the HSE and the manufacturer of the drug.
The HSE assessment process is intended to arrive at a decision on the funding of new medicines that is clinically appropriate, fair, consistent and sustainable. In these circumstances, the HSE has not approved the reimbursement of Fampridine under the GMS or other community drug schemes. However, I am aware that studies are ongoing to assess the wider impact of Fampridine on both walking and quality of life for persons diagnosed with MS. The results of these studies will contribute to the evidence base demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of the product which can be used to support future applications for its inclusion on the lists of reimbursable items supplied under the GMS and other community drugs scheme. The HSE met with Biogen Idec recently to discuss a potential revised application. The HSE expects that Biogen Idec will submit a revised application. The HSE will then re-consider the application in as timely a fashion as possible in line with the agreed procedures and timescales for the assessment of new medicines.
In relation to the individual case raised by the Deputy, the HSE has been asked to investigate the specific issues surrounding this case and respond directly to the Deputy.
681. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in tabular form for each from 2009 to date in 2014 the total number of freedom of information, FOI, requests received by his Department; the total refused; the total granted; the total part-granted; the total appealed; the total of successful appeals; the total of part-successful appeals; the total number of refusals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29070/14]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
- |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Received* |
214 |
192 |
169 |
340 |
239 |
113 |
|
Granted |
54 |
71 |
44 |
67 |
54 |
13 |
|
Part-Granted |
53 |
38 |
68 |
171 |
93 |
35 |
|
Refused |
43 |
29 |
12 |
55 |
32 |
15 |
|
Internally Reviewed |
11 |
8 |
5 |
8 |
10 |
1 |
|
Affirmed |
3 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
6 |
0 |
|
Varied |
7 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
|
Annulled |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Appealed to the Office of the Information Commissioner |
5 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
2** |
0 |
|
Affirmed |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Varied |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Annulled |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
Agreement reached between parties |
3 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
*Includes requests which were subsequently withdrawn, referred to another more appropriate body or dealt with administratively outside the FOI Act.
** One ongoing.
682. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical or career break, broken down by timeframe, that is, less than six months, six to 12 months, one to two years, two to three years, four to five years, and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29087/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following table:
Department of Health Staff on Career Break as of July 2014.
|
Date Range |
Numbers |
|
0 - 6 Months |
1 |
|
6 - 12 Months |
2 |
|
1 - 2 Years |
0 |
|
2 - 3 Years |
1 |
|
4 - 5 Years |
0 |
|
5 + Years |
0 |
|
Grand Total |
4 |
683. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29104/14]
View answerIt is the policy of my Department to keep costs in relation to the use of photographers to a minimum. The total expenditure on photographers from March 2011 to March 2014 was €4,047, as set out in the following table. Please contact me if any further detail is required.
|
Name of Photographer / Company |
Occasion for which booked |
Costs |
|
Robbie Reynolds Photography |
Symposium for Senior Pharmaceutical Policy Makers |
€738 |
|
Fennells |
Joint Meeting of Chief Medical Officers & Chief Nursing Officers |
€105 |
|
Fennells |
National Drugs Co-originators Meeting |
€117 |
|
1 Image Photography |
NPHDB/CHGB Joint Induction Day |
€314 |
|
Donagh Glavin Photography |
John Higgins Chair of the Strategic Board on Hospital Groups |
€234 |
|
Conor McCabe Photography |
Tobacco Free Ireland Launch |
€554 |
|
Derek Speirs |
First National Clinical Effectiveness Symposium |
€437 |
|
Conor McCabe Photography |
Consultation Day on Rare Disease Plan for Ireland |
€430 |
|
Derek Speirs |
2nd National Patient Safety Conference |
€318 |
|
Tommy Clancy Photography |
Launch of the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations |
€0 (European Commission) |
|
Conor Healy |
Seminar: Parental Substance Misuse - Addressing its Impact on Children. A Review of the Literature |
€800 |
The Deputy will be aware that questions concerning Ministerial allowances are solely a matter for the Oireachtas. However, the Minister has previously confirmed that he pays for communications advice, related to the health reform agenda, from the Secretarial Allowances from the Oireachtas.
684. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the tendering process relating to the Health Service Executive taxi service for the Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan areas; how often the contract is put out to tender; when was it last put out to tender; how often is value for money assessed; have the allocations of cost per kilometre been reassessed in the past number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29111/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter the HSE has been requested to respond directly to the Deputy.
685. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; the list of uses of each external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29121/14]
View answerThe Press and Communications Office of my Department liaise with the media on behalf of the Department as well as all Ministers and do not use the services of a PR company. My Department has not spent any money on public relations or communications consultants from March 2011 to date. It is the policy in my Department only to engage the services of external consultants where it is felt to be appropriate and cost-effective, taking account of Government decisions and policy on the matter.
686. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health the action he will take to address the current seven-week waiting time for adult ophthalmic services as confirmed by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29128/14]
View answerHSE Community ophthalmology services provide assessment, information, and intervention for adult medical card holders with vision difficulties or blindness. The services have well developed procedures for investigating the type, degree and cause of vision disorders and for making timely interventions. Currently all referrals for community ophthalmology services are triaged on clinical need and placed on urgent or routine lists as required. The HSE also makes eye testing, treatment and optical appliances available to adult medical card holders through contracted optometrists and dispensing opticians.
The HSE is establishing an Ophthalmology Review Group with key stakeholders including the National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology to examine issues around primary care ophthalmic services including population needs and adequacy of current services. This Review Group will make recommendations for the service which will address any current inadequacies and identify priorities to be addressed in the short-term.
687. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an operation will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in view of the urgency of the case and the length of time the patient has been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29129/14]
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.
688. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive an orthopaedic appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29133/14]
View answerThe scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should 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 case raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
689. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be renewed immediately in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny [29137/14]
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.
690. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the waiting times in the Dublin Dental Hospital; his views on the provision of the acute dental services in the State; and his views on whether they are adequate for the present and future needs of the population [29142/14]
View answerThe Dublin Dental Hospital's mission encompasses the education and training of students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, research and treating patients. The HSE has a Service Level Agreement with the Hospital and provided €5.820m to the Hospital in 2013. Patients are accepted from all counties and services include:
- Accident and Emergency - 'walk in' and 'out of hours' - 7 days a week
- Secondary care provided by undergraduate and postgraduate students and
- Specialist and tertiary care provided by consultants and multidisciplinary dental teams for special needs patients and patients who require special care.
At 1 June 2014, there was a total of 6,009 patients on waiting lists for either assessment/screening or treatment, of which 758 were waiting for over one year with the longest waiting time of eighteen months. A small number of cases are awaiting theatre slots in general or paediatric hospitals because of their needs. Waiting times vary based on referral type and needs of patients. All referrals are assessed by a lead clinician and if deemed urgent every effort is made to see the patient within a number of weeks. Routine referrals waiting times can range from six months to over one year. Patients suitable for treatment by undergraduates are normally treated within one academic year. Over 91,000 treatments and over 23,000 diagnostic procedures were carried out in the Dublin Dental Hospital in 2013. The HSE also has a Service Level Agreement with Cork Dental School and Hospital.
Under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme for adult medical card holders the HSE makes available, through contracted dentists, free emergency dental treatment with a focus on relief of pain and sepsis to all eligible patients. The HSE National Service Plan 2014 made provision for an additional €12m for the DTSS in recognition of the growth in eligibility. Emergency care for children up to 16 years of age and treatment for special needs patients are among the priorities for the Public Dental Service of the HSE through its dental clinics. The Department has begun a three year project to develop a new national oral health policy. The project will have three key parts - a needs assessment, a review of resources and a consultation on new ways of delivering oral health services.
691. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the total amount spent on external IT consultants by his Department in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29156/14]
View answer692. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if his Department has renegotiated external IT consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29175/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 691 and 692 together.
My Department operates a shared ICT service which, in addition to supporting the business of the Department of Health also provides IT support for the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and its agencies. While my Department does engage external contractors for specific services, such as software development and network support, it does not engage external consultants in relation to IT and, consequently, the issue of renegotiating does not arise.
693. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of appointments to State boards under his Department's remit made from March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit from March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit publically advertised from March 2011 to date; and the number of appointments to State boards under his remit drawn directly from the public advertisement process. [29193/14]
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 table sets out the number of appointments to State Boards under the remit of my Department, where I have nominating rights, and on the nomination of other bodies since March 2011 to 2014 (to date), including the number that were publicly advertised and the number of appointments drawn directly from the advertising process. It should be noted that there were no advertising campaigns in 2011, but 34 appointments were made where I as Minister have nominating rights.
|
Number of Appointments 2011 - 2014 (to date) |
484 |
|
Appointments made where Minister had nominating rights |
331 |
|
Number of Positions Advertised |
272 |
|
Appointments made where Minister did not have nominating rights |
153 |
|
Appointments made drawn directly from the public advertisement process |
116 |
694. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the chairman's forward to the Mental Health Commission annual report 2013. in which he states that, since 2007, staffing in mental health services has been reduced by the implementation of recruitment embargoes and employment moratoriums; the medium and long-term effect of such policies is to endanger the delivery of confident and responsive community-based services as envisaged in A Vision for Change; this situation needs to be reversed by the continued allocation of new revenue for the full development of community mental health teams and concomitant services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29202/14]
View answerI have noted the position indicated in the Report referred to by the Deputy in regard to staffing requirements for mental health services. The Government is committed to the continued reform of mental health services, notwithstanding the substantial overall reduction in resources available to the health service in recent years. Towards this end, ring-fenced funding of €90 million and some 1,100 posts are being provided between 2012 and end 2014 to develop community mental health services and suicide prevention resources. The budget for mental health services in 2014 is significant at approximately €766 million.
A Vision for Change indicates a requirement for 10,647 WTE staff which, when adjusted for the 2011 population census, equates to around 12,240 WTE staff by 2016. However, given the changed economic circumstances since the publication of Vision in 2006, the Government had to reduce the numbers employed across the public service in order to meet fiscal and budgetary targets. While the health sector must make its contribution to that reduction, the HSE can make staff appointments once it remains within its overall employment ceiling, and has the financial resources to do so. The HSE Service Plan for 2014 commits to developing workforce planning to bring greater certainty around essential replacements, and the streamlining of recruitment to allow for more local control and specialisation, where appropriate.
While staffing levels in the mental health service have fallen, there are positives that must be acknowledged. Many of the staff numbers lost were supporting the excessive numbers of beds which are no longer part of the service user recovery focused, modern, community-based model for mental health. The overall reduction in numbers has been mitigated due to the priority ring-fenced Programme for Government investments in 2012, 2013 and again in 2014. This has allowed the HSE to begin to re-balance the staff skill mix in mental health and to introduce new staff in the historically under represented disciplines recommended in A Vision for Change i.e. psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists.
Recruitment of the additional posts in 2012 and 2013 is continuing with 95% of the 2012 posts filled as at the end of May 2014. The recruitment process is complete for 68% of the 2013 posts, with the remainder in various stages of the recruitment process. These posts continue to come on stream, and are targeted to be in place by the end of Quarter 2 of 2014. Decisions on the breakdown of the new 2014 posts (between 250 - 280 posts) are being made by the HSE, following a business case and analysis process to ensure that the required professional grades are recruited to fill identified service gaps. It is intended that these posts will be in place by end of 2014.
695. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the chairman's forward to the Mental Health Commission annual report 2013 in which he states that mental health services are designed to assist in a person’s recovery rather than simply to manage their illness; in that context, that the concept of recovery is now well understood but implementation of it is uneven; that the information provided in this report points to a serious deficiency in the development and provision of recovery-oriented mental health services; that service delivery is still largely delivered by medical, psychiatric and mental health nursing staff; that there is still a significant absence of psychology, social work, occupational, and other multidisciplinary team members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29203/14]
View answer696. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the chairman's forward to the Mental Health Commission annual report 2013 in which he states that in order for a fully developed recovery-oriented service to be delivered, there needs to be a cultural shift in how we deliver services away from a linear medical model towards a more holistic biopsychosocial one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29204/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 695 and 696 together.
In line with the recommendations of 'A Vision for Change', a recovery orientation should inform every aspect of service delivery and service users should be partners in their own care. There is a growing recognition that, with a recovery approach, it is possible to live well despite any limitations caused by disability or illness. I have acknowledged previously that there is more to be done in developing a focused recovery orientation for some patients. I also accept that adopting a recovery based approach has not been without its challenges which include reconsidering some fundamental concepts such as what it means to be a service delivery organisation, a professional, a person who uses services or a family member, and how we judge effective treatments. The Recovery approach that we want to see places a unique emphasis on the value of each person and their understanding of their illness and should be seen as natural process which service users believe can put greater choice and control back in their hands.
As acknowledged by the Chairman of the Mental Health Commission in his foreword, the 'Advancing Recovery in Ireland' (ARI) initiative which is a partnership project between the HSE and other bodies is a welcome development. The initiative focuses on service level structures, systems and practices that can maximise personal recovery opportunities and outcomes for service users. It aims to achieve this by facilitating the individual to manage their personal recovery and by the development of recovery focused mental health practice in the service. It recognises the service provider, service user and family as equal stakeholders. Some of the innovations being developed through ARI are Recovery Colleges, Peer Support Working and the Recovery Context inventory Tool. The ARI is an 18 month initiative which is being rolled out on a phased basis to allow maximum benefit, the initial phase of which commenced in May 2013.
The Community Mental Health Team is the first line of acute secondary mental health care provision and their presence allows individuals to be supported in their recovery in their own community. Community Mental Health Teams need to have expertise from all the core disciplines of psychiatry, psychology, social workers, occupational and other therapists as well as mental health nursing. With this in mind, some 1,100 new posts have been funded by a special allocation of €90 million since 2012 primarily to strengthen Community Mental Health Teams for both adults and children and to enhance specialist community services. To date, some 740 of the posts have been filled and the recruitment process for the remaining posts is continuing by the HSE.
The Mental Health Act 2001 is the key piece of legislation regarding the rights of people involuntarily detained and treated in approved centres within our mental health services. The Act is currently under review, and an Expert Group set up by me in September 2012 is currently finalising its deliberations. I expect to receive its report by the third quarter of 2014. Whilst I am not in a position to comment on any recommendations of the Expert Group in advance of the completion of the final report, I would expect that the Group will take into account the importance of recovery when finalising their report.
697. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the chairman's forward to the Mental Health Commission annual report 2013 in which he states that the commission is also concerned regarding a number of specific areas of service provision which impinge on human rights and where, in 2013, standards fell below what is acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29205/14]
View answerThe principal functions of the Mental Health Commission are to promote, encourage and foster the establishment and maintenance of high standards in the delivery of mental health services and to take all reasonable steps to protect the interests of persons detained in approved centres under the Mental Health Act 2001. The Commission also appoints the Inspector of Mental Health Services, who in accordance with the Act, is required to visit and inspect every approved centre annually and, as the Inspectorate think appropriate, to visit and inspect any other premises where mental health services are being provided.
I welcome the Annual Report of the Mental Health Commission and note the specific areas of service provision which require improvement that have been highlighted by the Chairman. Under the 2001 Act, the Commission has a number of powers in relation to approved centres which includes the attachment of any conditions it considers appropriate to the registration of such centres and such conditions could include the requirement to introduce or to review specified policies, protocols and procedures relating to the care and welfare of patients and residents. In addition, the Commission can prepare codes of practice for the guidance of persons working in the mental health services. As a consequence of the Commission carrying out its functions, I am satisfied that the rights of patients are regularly and appropriately reviewed in line with our mental health legislation.
The Mental Health Act 2001 provides the legislative framework within which people who require admission on a voluntary or involuntary basis can be cared for and treated in approved centres within our mental health services. The 2001 Act introduced a human rights ethos into our mental health law and it is currently under review by an Expert Group which I set up in September 2012. I expect to receive the final report of the Expert Group by the end of quarter 3 this year and while I am not in a position to comment on any specific recommendations of the Expert Group in advance of its final report, I would expect that the Group has considered the matters raised by the Chairman with a view to ensuring that the human rights of patients are upheld and strengthened further.
699. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the Mental Health Commission annual report 2013 (details supplied) and the chairman’s foreword to same regarding the delay in filling essential posts in the commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29208/14]
View answerSanction has been given for a number of key posts sought by the Mental Health Commission and the recruitment process is currently underway with the Public Appointments Committee.
700. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the 477 persons who were to be employed in the mental health services in 2013; the number that were employed in 2013 and have taken up their posts in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29209/14]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
701. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29220/14]
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.
702. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal has had the file relating to their medical card application closed when they consider that they have complied with all requirements and are entitled to a medical card; if the file will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29222/14]
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.
703. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early appointment will be arranged at Waterford Regional Hospital in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow [29226/14]
View answerThe scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should 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 case raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
