Written Answers Nos. 364-373
364. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their medical card; the reason for the delay in making a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38057/14]
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.
365. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will have their medical card application processed; if their discretionary card should have been reinstated; the reason documentation forwarded to client registration has been mislaid on three occasions; if he will confirm that the Health Service Executive client registration operates a 15 working days turnaround; if he will expedite this application in view of this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38061/14]
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.
366. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason for the cancellation of procedures in St. James's dental clinic; if he will ensure patients are provided with alternative arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38063/14]
View answerI have asked the HSE to investigate this matter and respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
367. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the cost of the delivery of dental services under the school scheme; the benefits provided to children of school-going age under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38081/14]
View answerThe Public Dental Service of the HSE provides dental services for children up to 16 years of age and persons of all ages with special needs through its dental clinics. All HSE dental clinics prioritise emergency care for children up to 16 years of age, treatment for special needs patients and screening of children aged from 11 to 13 years, including referral for orthodontic services where necessary. Other services, including screening of children 6 to 8 years, are provided but may be deferred in clinics where there is pressure on resources. The annual budget for the Public Dental Service is about €60 million.
368. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for delivery of dental services and in particular those waiting for orthodontic services under the general medical scheme; if geographically there are variances in our ability to deliver these services; if the variances are due to staff vacancies that exists due to embargoes on recruitment of relevant staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38082/14]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides access to dental treatment for medical card holders over the age of 16. Services are provided by contracted dentists. There are no waiting lists for these services.
Dental services for children up to 16 years of age and persons of all ages with special needs are provided by the Public Dental Service of the HSE through its dental clinics. All HSE dental clinics prioritise emergency care for children up to 16 years of age, treatment for special needs patients and screening of children aged from 11 to 13 years, including referral for orthodontic services where necessary. Other services, including screening of children 6 to 8 years, are provided but may be deferred in clinics where there is pressure on resources. Some patients have specialist treatment needs. Waiting times vary based on referral type and needs of patients.
The 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 below. The most recent information on assessment and treatment waiting lists relates to the second quarter of 2014.
|
Waiting time for assessment |
1 - 6 months |
7 - 12 months |
13 - 24 months |
>24 months |
TOTAL |
|
HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster |
2,030 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2,031 |
|
HSE Dublin North East |
397 |
556 |
0 |
0 |
953 |
|
HSE South |
1,203 |
396 |
109 |
12 |
1,720 |
|
HSE West |
1,606 |
268 |
62 |
18 |
1,954 |
|
TOTAL |
5,236 |
1,221 |
171 |
30 |
6,658 |
|
Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment |
1-6 months |
7-12 months |
13-24 months |
25-48 months |
Over 48 months |
TOTAL |
|
HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster |
1,133 |
779 |
1,060 |
1,261 |
87 |
4,320 |
|
HSE Dublin North East |
163 |
626 |
997 |
1,252 |
748 |
3,786 |
|
HSE South |
650 |
439 |
946 |
1,333 |
9 |
3,377 |
|
HSE West |
1,257 |
1,220 |
1,496 |
1,010 |
52 |
5,035 |
|
TOTAL |
3,203 |
3,064 |
4,499 |
4,856 |
896 |
16,518 |
The Government has decided that the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet fiscal and budgetary targets. The health sector must make its contribution to that reduction. The recruitment embargo or moratorium has achieved substantial reductions in employment in the public health service and the number of staff employed by the health service has reduced from 111,770 whole time equivalents (WTEs) at the end of March 2009 to 99,959 (WTEs) at the end of December 2013, a reduction of 10.6% or over 11,800 WTEs. The recruitment moratorium and staff on long-term leave is impacting on waiting lists in some areas. At present the HSE is considering a number of options to tackle waiting lists where they are problematic. These include skills mix and procurement of services.
369. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork in view of the circumstances. [38083/14]
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.
370. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will work directly with persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny to agree a care plan and immediate treatment for their child as yet undiagnosed mental health condition; if he will request the HSE to respond immediately to the family in view of the history and urgency of this case. [38094/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
371. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the procurement process in place in counties Kilkenny, Carlow and Waterford for the supply of lightbulbs, fluorescent tubes and such like items; when the tender was last reviewed; if there is a number of suppliers; if the various Health Service Executive offices and hospitals in the area are obliged to purchase from suppliers based on best price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38095/14]
View answerAll Government Departments and Agencies funded from the Exchequer must comply with EU Directives and national guidelines on procurement.
Procurement of light bulbs, fluorescent tubes and such like items in the health care sector is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
372. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will receive an appointment with a urologist in the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38096/14]
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.
373. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive national capital steering group will conclude its cost benefit analysis of proposals for a new emergency department at University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38102/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
