Written Answers Nos. 785-812
785. Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of residential detox and rehabilitation beds currently available; his plans to implement the recommendations of the 2007 Health Service Executive report on residential treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33027/14]
View answer887. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of residential detox and rehabilitation beds that are available; if he will clarify the plans for implementing the recommendations of 2007 Health Service Executive report on residential treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33363/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 785 and 887 together.
In line with the National Drugs Strategy, it is Government policy to expand the availability of, and access to, detoxification facilities and treatment services. As the HSE has lead responsibility for the development of the spread and range of treatment services available, including implementation of the Report referred to by the Deputy, this matter has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
786. Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress report on the recommendations in the A Vision for Change report regarding drug users; the reason many of the services in the Vision for Change report are not being delivered to this vulnerable group of persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33028/14]
View answer888. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress report on the A Vision for Change recommendations regarding drug users; the reason two sections of the Health Service Executive are not working together to deliver services to this very vulnerable group of persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33364/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 786 and 888 together.
A Vision for Change(2006) sets out a comprehensive framework for the development of all mental health services. It recommends, broadly, a move away from the traditional institutional based model of care to a more patient-centred, flexible and community based service, where the need for hospital admission is greatly reduced while still providing in-patient care, as appropriate. This Government has prioritised the reform and resourcing of our mental health services in line with A Vision for Change, and has significantly progressed this through the provision of €90m since 2012 to underpin a range of new services initiatives to meet this widely agreed strategy objective.
As indicated in A Vision for Change, the key responsibility for the care of people with addiction lies with Primary Care Services, to include appropriate liaison with Mental Health services.
In this context, I am satisfied that there exists appropriate cooperation between HSE Mental Health Services, Addiction Services, Drug Task Forces and other Community and Voluntary agencies to deliver the type of services raised by the Deputies. This includes provision of specific funding by the Executive to a number of voluntary service providers that treat drug and alcohol disorders.
The responsibility of community mental health services includes responding to the needs of people with mental illness, and an addiction. Acute presentation by service users with co-morbid mental health and addiction problems are recommended to be seen by General Adult Community Mental Health Teams or, if needs be, by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), which provides acute secondary care interventions in the community.
There are currently 115 General Adult Community Mental Health Teams. A Vision for Change recommends that there should be 92 to service the population (i.e. 1 per 50,000). The reconfiguration and development of these teams are continuing, in line with A Vision For Change recommendations. There are currently 62 CAMHS Teams, representing an increase of 4 on the same period last year. In addition, there are also 3 CAMHS Day Hospital Teams, and 3 Paediatric Liaison Teams. Of relevance also, is the fact that there are currently 24 Psychiatry of Old Age Teams, an increase of 2 over last year.
In the overall context, A Vision for Change recommends the provision of specialist community mental health teams for those with complex and enduring mental illness, together with co-morbid substance abuse issues. The focus of the HSE is to develop the General Adult, Psychiatry of Old Age, and Child and Adolescent Community Mental Health Team structures nationally, including that potentially relating to those with co-morbid substance abuse problems. The HSE Mental Health Division recognises the obvious need for effective liaison between Primary Care, and Community Mental Health Teams. It is intended that these links will be strengthened, as additional staffing is recruited.
The National Drug Treatment Centre, based in Trinity Court in Dublin, also provides a Specialist Dual Diagnosis service for people affected by both Mental Illness and Addiction. Its programmes are available for the greater Dublin region, and to certain other areas, as required. It also provides a Young Persons Programme (YPP), which has proved very successful over the last number of years.
As capacity is expanded within Community Mental Health Teams nationally, in conjunction with enhancing Clinical Programmes, the HSE Mental Health Division will consider further development of specific specialised resources. In 2014, the focus is on building on investment in Mental Health Intellectual Disability (MHID), Liaison, and the Homeless with mental health issues, as well as improvements to the more generic community mental health teams.
Notwithstanding the various pressures and difficulties being faced by the health and personal social services overall, I am satisfied that the HSE is maximising its efforts to provide a more co-ordinated approach to the type of services raised by the Deputies. This will be improved, as appropriate, in the future in the context of progressing wider health service reforms whether at national or local level. If the Deputies have specific concerns about services at local level, this should be raised with the HSE in the first instance, which has statutory operational responsibilities for resolving particular issues.
787. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the reason Meath disability service is due to cease funding for the preschool assistant service; if he will reconsider this decision taking into consideration the huge support this subsidy has provided for over ten years to parents of children with disabilities attending preschools; the support, if any, in place if this funding is to cease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33035/14]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, provides for a free pre-school year to eligible children in the year before they commence primary school. The objective of this scheme is to support early learning in a formal setting in advance of starting school. I understand that certain flexibilities are built into the scheme in an effort to accommodate children with special needs, such as an overage exemption, or waiver, for children with special needs who do not meet the age criteria and the option to avail of the free pre-school year over two years.
The Health Service Executive has no statutory obligation to provide assistant supports for children with special needs wishing to avail of the free pre-school year. As such, there is no national HSE policy in relation to the payment of a pre-school assistance "subsidy" as referred to by the Deputy. However, the HSE does work at local level and in partnership with the relevant disability service providers to address individual needs as they arise. In certain locations, where resources are available, this may involve the HSE funding the provision of supports to enable a child with a disability to attend a mainstream pre-school.
Within that context, I have asked the HSE to investigate the situation in Meath Disability Services and to respond directly to the Deputy.
788. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in respect of the Health Service Executive Dublin north east orthodontic service being chosen as the national pilot scheme for the provision of training of hygienists and dental nurses to become orthodontic therapists; the plans for those staff to work with specialist orthodontists on treatment cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33036/14]
View answer789. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm whether the proposed Health Service Executive training of hygienists and dental nurses to become orthodontic therapists has been undertaken, and if it has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33037/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 788 and 789 together.
The HSE Dublin North East (DNE) Orthodontic Service has been chosen as the pilot area for this new training programme. One member of the dental hygienist staff and one member of the dental nursing staff have commenced training in September 2014. In the course of training these students will work under the direct supervision of specialist orthodontists currently working in HSE units in the treatment of a number of children eligible for HSE-funded orthodontic treatment. This course is being accredited by Dublin Dental Hospital, Trinity College and is one year in duration.
790. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of current waiting lists for orthodontic services in the HSE Dublin north east region, specifically for counties Louth and Meath, outlining the timeframe patients have been on waiting lists; if there are plans to engage additional resources to manage these times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33038/14]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. It should be noted that the nature of orthodontic care means that immediate treatment is not always desirable. It is estimated that in up to 5% of cases it is necessary to wait for further growth to take place before treatment commences. Patients are assessed by the HSE Orthodontic Service under the modified Index of Treatment Need. Patients with the greatest level of need are provided with treatment by the HSE. Information on waiting times is collated by the HSE by region and for the intervals as shown in the tables. Louth and Meath are part of the HSE Dublin North East (DNE) region. The most recent information relates to the second quarter of 2014.
HSE Dublin North East
|
Waiting time from referral to assessment |
1 - 6 months |
7 - 12 months |
13 - 24 months |
>2 years |
Total |
|
No. of Patients |
397 |
556 |
0 |
0 |
953 |
|
Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment |
1 - 6 months |
7 - 12 months |
13 - 24 months |
2 - 3 years |
Over 4 years |
TOTAL |
|
No. of Patients |
163 |
626 |
997 |
1,352 |
748 |
3,786 |
The HSE is aware of the need to address orthodontic waiting times and commissioned an independent national review of orthodontic services to give guidance as to what changes will be desirable. The review has been completed. The key issue highlighted by the review, which has assessed services nationally, is that the Orthodontic Service should be fully integrated within the Primary Care Service. This is under consideration by the HSE to be implemented as part of the HSE's reform programme. An initiative to reduce waiting times through the provision of additional services is also under consideration by the HSE and is likely to target those waiting the longest. In addition, a pilot scheme, which will involve the use of orthodontic therapists, has been introduced in the HSE DNE area.
791. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Louth may expect to receive treatment under Dublin north east orthodontic services, noting that this young person would appear to have been approved for treatment in 2011 and the lengthy waiting time is causing considerable anxiety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33039/14]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
792. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if he will review the facilities and staffing levels of the diabetes team in Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, on the back of anecdotal reports of a lack of basic equipment and that the team of four specialist nurses has been reduced to one augmented by a temporary specialist nurse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33054/14]
View answerAs the query raised by the Deputy relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the position and to respond to him directly.
793. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health his plans to reinstate medical cards to persons over 70 whose cards have been revoked because the living alone allowance payment of €7.70 week has pushed them marginally over the means assessment for eligibility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33058/14]
View answer877. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if the determination of the relevant income to be assessed for medical card applications submitted by persons over 70 years of age may be amended so that their net income after deductions made for universal social charge and PRSI is assessed under the application rather than assessing gross income before deductions for USC and PRSI have been made; and his views on whether the current determination of relevant income under applications from persons over 70 years is discriminatory vis-à-vis the determination of relevant income used in applications from persons under 70 years. [33331/14]
View answer959. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will reinstate medical cards to persons over 70 whose cards have been revoked because payment of a living alone allowance pushed them marginally over the means assessment for eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33711/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 793, 877 and 959 together.
Under the arrangements effected by the Health Act 2008, a much simplified system of assessment for eligibility was introduced in respect of persons aged 70 or over, based on the significantly higher gross income thresholds rather than the standard net income limits. Gross income, in respect of the over 70's medical card scheme refers to total basic income prior to any or all deductions being made. The system of assessment for those 70 years of age and over is based on significantly higher gross income limits of €500 per week for a single person and €900 per week for a couple from 1 January 2014, as set out in legislation, compared to the standard net income thresholds of €184 for a single person or €266.50 for a couple. This advantageous arrangement for persons aged over 70 years has facilitated a much greater share of this age cohort qualifying for a medical card compared to the general population as a whole. There are no proposals to change this assessment process.
However, persons aged 70 or older who are assessed as ineligible under the gross income thresholds may also have their eligibility assessed under the standard means test where they face particularly high expenses, e.g., nursing home or medication costs. This assessment is based on net income and assessable outgoing expenses and the qualifying income thresholds under this scheme are lower than over 70's gross income thresholds.
Persons aged 70 or over, who have lost eligibility for a medical card due to the 2014 budgetary change will continue to have access to free GP services. In addition, as you will be aware, the Government committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service for the entire population and the aim is to have the over 70's phase implemented this year or early next year. Furthermore, any person over 70 that does not qualify for a medical card is able to use the DPS (Drugs Payment Scheme) which caps spending on prescription drugs.
The HSE local health offices can offer assistance to those completing their Medical Card/GP Visit Card application form or seek clarification on any aspect regarding the process of assessing eligibility for a Medical Card/GP Visit Card. In addition, in this regard, a help and information Callsave phone line 1890 252 919 is available to the public. The HSE will give every assistance to persons that contact their offices, in advising and facilitating them in meeting the requirements to have their eligibility for a Medical Card/GP Visit Card fully assessed.
Furthermore, persons aged over 70 years may still be eligible for a medical card where discretion is exercised where they face undue hardship in arranging medical services as a result of medical or social circumstances.
794. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33071/14]
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.
795. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health in the context of the forthcoming budget, if he will consider waiving the €2.50 prescription charge per item for all long-term residents of nursing homes in view of the fact that studies have shown that prescription charges may lead to patients neglecting to adhere to their full medication regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33072/14]
View answerMedical card holders are required to pay a prescription charge of €2.50 per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €25 per month for each person or family. Prescription charges do not apply to children in the care of the Health Service Executive or to methadone supplied to patients participating in the Methadone Treatment Scheme. There are no plans to amend the prescription charge.
796. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the way he plans to minimise the impact on the thousands of persons who use the services of Muscular Dystrophy Ireland whose funding has been cut; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33076/14]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
797. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his plans to minimise the impact on the thousands of persons who use the services of the Huntingdon’s Disease Association of Ireland whose funding has been cut; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33078/14]
View answer827. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that adequate funding is now in place to support the continued operation of the Huntington’s Disease Association of Ireland [33178/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 797 and 827 together.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
798. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his plans to minimise the impact on the thousands of persons who use the services of the Irish Deaf Society whose funding has been cut; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33080/14]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
799. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33084/14]
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.
800. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to ensure that the budget for the drugs initiative will be protected from further disproportionate cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33092/14]
View answer819. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure there are no further cuts to the drugs initiative in budget 2015 (details supplied). [33155/14]
View answer823. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health his plans regarding the drugs initiative programme to combat drug misuse; his plans for this programme in 2015; if the service will be maintained at current levels or expanded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33167/14]
View answer889. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to maintain existing funding levels for the drugs initiative (details supplied) in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33368/14]
View answer1101. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided for the drugs initiative under the national drugs strategy each year for the past four years; the reason for the decline in funding; the trends in the use of illegal substances in that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34515/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 800, 819, 823, 889 and 1101 together.
In furtherance of the National Drugs Strategy (NDS), my Department administers a Drugs Initiative which primarily funds community based drugs projects supported by the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. The level of funding provided in the Drugs Initiative since 2008 has changed significantly, due to the transfer of €19.9m in respect of the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund to the then Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs on 1 January 2009 and more recently the transfer of €21.57m from the Vote of my Department to the HSE in relation to Task Force treatment and rehabilitation projects on 1 January 2014. This year, a total of €7.381m has been provided in the Drugs Initiative of which €6.6m has been allocated to Task Force projects.
In recent years the nature and scale of drug misuse has changed due to the increasing geographical dispersal of problem drug use (including heroin use), the increased prevalence of polydrug use, the increased strength of cannabis, and the emergence of new psychoactive substances. The response of the HSE has involved the re-orientation of its addiction services towards polydrug issues, using a 4-tiered model approach as a national framework through which to deliver services.
I would like to point out that cross-departmental provision for Drugs Programmes has been maintained at very significant levels since 2008. In 2014, a total of €240.135m has been allocated for drugs programmes and initiatives across Government departments and agencies, representing a reduction of approximately 13% on expenditure levels in 2008. In the context of the resource constraints arising from the economic crisis, this level of funding emphasises the Government's ongoing commitment to the implementation of the NDS, with the overall policy objective of targeting resources at areas where there is the highest concentration of drugs activity. Funding in 2015 for community drugs initiatives will be determined in the context of the Estimates process, taking into account the need to protect frontline service provision as far as possible.
Details of the Drugs Initiative allocations between 2008 and 2014 are set out in the table.
|
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
€64.332m |
€40.611m |
€36.182m |
€33.700m |
€31.475m |
€29.951m |
€7.381m |
801. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if an information programme has been undertaken by the Health Service Executive to update health providers such as general practitioners, consultants, pharmacies and so on regarding the changes for clients on the long-term illness card who are now on the GMS system but who are exempt from prescription charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33094/14]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes, including the Long Term Illness Scheme, therefore the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
802. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will make funding available immediately to deal with the priority list for residential care in St. Michael's House in Ballymun (details supplied). [33101/14]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
803. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 644 of 15 July 2014 where he stated that more detailed information is provided to bodies including the National Cancer Registry, the Health Research Board as well as researchers in universities, if he will provide the full list of the bodies to which information has been released by the HPO, and list the full range of details provided. [33108/14]
View answerMy Department does not hold the detailed information requested. For this reason, I have asked that the HSE respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
804. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards returned to persons following the suspension of medical card reviews; the number of medical cards projected to be returned; the timeframe for this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33112/14]
View answer929. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the timescale under which all discretionary medical cards, withdrawn under the recent review, will be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33531/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 804 and 929 together.
The Government decision announced in June 2014, enabled the HSE to make the necessary arrangements to return medical cards and GP visit cards to those with a lifelong medical condition, acute illness, or disability, who had been granted a card on a discretionary basis, and who lost their card following a review, since July 2011.
The HSE has now completed the exercise, and eligibility has been restored to 11,383 people in accordance with the Government decision. Final quality assurance tasks are in progress and enquiries can be made by calling 1890 252 919 - Monday to Friday - 8am to 8pm.
At the time of the Government decision it was estimated that up to 15,305 people could have their cards restored. As the files have been reviewed in recent weeks it has become clear that some individuals included in the original estimate are no longer ill, some have had cards restored to one member of the family (as opposed to the entire family) and some have passed away.
805. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health the number of trained phlebotomists in Ireland today; the budget that has been assigned to train further phlebotomists; when will this take effect; his views that the practice of drawing blood samples from patients for analysis for medical purposes using needles by those who are untrained is unsatisfactory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33116/14]
View answerAs this relates to an operational matter, I have passed the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply.
806. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health if he will increase the allocation of home-help hours for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33118/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
807. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health the position regarding dental treatment in respect of a person (details supplied). [33119/14]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
808. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health if, he will fast-track the process to move a person (details supplied) to the national rehabilitation centre including the provision of a required special chair; if he will allow for a discretionary medical card to meet this person’s urgent needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33120/14]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
809. Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for Health his plans to include Omacor as medication covered under the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33127/14]
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, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
810. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the decline in persons using private orthodontists; if these professionals could be used to reduce waiting lists in the public sector through payment in the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33129/14]
View answerThe HSE is aware of the need to address orthodontic waiting times and commissioned an independent national review of orthodontic services to give guidance as to what changes will be desirable. The key issue highlighted by the review, which assessed services nationally, is that the Orthodontic Service should be fully integrated within the Primary Care Service. This is under consideration by the HSE to be implemented as part of the HSE's reform programme. In addition, an initiative to reduce waiting times through the provision of additional services by private orthodontists is currently under consideration.
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) deals with hospital care. As most orthodontic treatment does not normally require hospital based care, the NTPF has no role in this matter.
811. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health when a decision on a medical card application will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33130/14]
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.
812. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the waiting time for a public patient (details supplied) in County Kerry to get an appointment for an eye operation in Kerry General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33132/14]
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.
