Written Answers Nos. 190-199
190. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views that delays in patients undergoing procedures at the country's hospitals - over a year in some cases - will cost the State more money because patients with medical cards will be obliged to continue taking prescribed medication for longer periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9669/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.
191. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a hearing aid will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9673/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
192. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when the telemedicine stroke machine at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, County Galway, will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9678/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.
193. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the placement list for the nursing homes support scheme; the timeframe for the awarding of places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9680/15]
View answerAs of the 2 March 2015 there were 1,399 people on the national placement list for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme with an average wait time of 11 weeks. The budget for the NHSS in 2015 is €948.8m which includes an additional €10m to allow for the provision of an additional 300 long stay care places. This additional €10m has reduced the wait time for funding under the Scheme from circa 15 weeks late in 2014 to 11 weeks now.
194. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health based on primary care reimbursement service guidelines, the frequency with which general practitioners review prescribed medications to general medical scheme patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9681/15]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to you. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
195. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to date regarding, and his plans for the provision of, connectivity between Galway, Portiuncula, Roscommon and Castlebar hospitals in respect of outpatient appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9683/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.
196. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in publishing the Lightfoot capacity review report on the ambulance service; when the Health Service Executive received the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9687/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.
197. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the policy that is being drafted by the Health Service Executive and his Department to address the issue of the costs incurred by donors participating in the living donor programme during the pre-operative and post-operative periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9689/15]
View answerI introduced a policy for the Reimbursement of Expenses of Living Kidney Donors with effect from 12 November 2014.
The policy provides for the reimbursement of accommodation and travel expenses incurred by living kidney donors up to a maximum of €6,000. Any loss of earnings incurred by the donor for up to 12 weeks after the donation takes place will also be eligible for reimbursement, up to a maximum of €6,000.
The policy includes details in regard to procedures, rates and upper limits applying to each reimbursable item, including procedures in relation to the reimbursement of loss of earnings for salaried/waged donors as well as self-employed donors.
The aim of the policy is to acknowledge living kidney donors and to minimise any financial hardship incurred by such donors. The reimbursement process is managed by the HSE.
198. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a full breakdown of the costs involved in the establishment of the national organ donation and transplant office; the costs involved thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9690/15]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
199. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will order a reversal of the decision by the Health Service Executive travel abroad scheme a number of years ago to no longer provide full subsistence for transplant patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9691/15]
View answerThe Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) as provided for in EU Regulations and Department of Health Guidelines, does not include a provision for travel and subsistence expenses for patients or their relatives travelling abroad to avail of approved treatments. However the HSE, subject to available funding, under the Treatment Abroad Scheme Travel Policy, may provide assistance towards reasonable economic air or sea travel fares for patients, and a travelling companion where appropriate or where the referring consultant identifies a necessity. The HSE Treatment Abroad Scheme National Travel Policy was implemented in November 2009 to standardise and provide equity to the provision of entitlements relating to travel expenses. Expenses other than air/sea fares are not admissible. However, patients who experience difficulty funding any additional costs may apply to the Department of Social Protection for assistance as an exceptional needs payment. It should be noted that, in general, patients do not incur subsistence costs when undergoing treatment abroad as such costs are included in the cost of the care that the patient is receiving.
On 12 November 2014 I introduced a scheme for the reimbursement of some expenses of living kidney donors which applies to living donor transplants in Ireland and to those who, under clinical supervision, of the Renal Transplant Programme in Beaumont Hospital, travel to the UK for paired kidney donation. However retrospection does not apply in regard to such payments.
