Written Answers Nos. 187-195
187. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath and when they will receive a decision on the case. [10813/15]
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. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
188. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 and when that person will receive a decision. [10814/15]
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. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
189. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly and when that person will receive a decision. [10815/15]
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. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
190. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly and when that person will receive a decision. [10816/15]
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. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
191. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly and when that person will receive a decision. [10817/15]
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. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
192. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine a referral by an occupational therapist for a powered wheelchair in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10819/15]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
193. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if additional respite beds will be provided at a Health Service Executive facility (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10820/15]
View answer206. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if additional beds will be provided at a Health Service Executive facility (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10925/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 206 together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. 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.
194. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that discussions were not held regarding changes to the emergency ambulance calls service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10821/15]
View answer195. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that no Dublin Fire Brigade ambulance services are taken out of service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10822/15]
View answer197. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his assessment of the announcement this week by Dublin City Council that Dublin Fire Brigade's ambulance service call and dispatch function will be controlled by the Health Service Executive from later this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10824/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 194, 195 and 197 together.
HIQA, in its report of December last year, identified serious patient safety concerns over the lack of coordination between the Dublin Fire Brigade ambulance service and the National Ambulance Service. The urgent need to address these issues was stressed, particularly for 999/112 call-taking and ambulance dispatch, as well as overall clinical governance.
Following discussions, the HSE and Dublin City Council have agreed in principle to address the identified weaknesses, through the provision of a single point of contact for all emergency calls in Dublin. Under this agreement, all 999/112 ambulance calls for the Dublin region will be routed through the National Emergency Operations Centre in Tallaght and all ambulances, whether DFB or NAS, will be dispatched from Tallaght. In addition, clinical governance of Dublin ambulance services will become the responsibility of the NAS medical director.
The new arrangements will mean that the people of Dublin will get a better ambulance service. Currently, where DFB do not have an ambulance available, they may or may not pass the call to the NAS. Passing calls between call centres is not without risks. Calls may be delayed or worse, be missed. Under the new arrangements, the dispatcher will be able to see every available ambulance in the region. The nearest available ambulance, whether NAS or DFB, will be sent to the incident.
Agreement in principle has now been reached with Dublin Fire Brigade unions on the integration of emergency ambulance call taking and dispatch. It has also been agreed that DFB will continue to be fully involved in emergency ambulance service delivery and there will be no diminution of such services.
Staff in Dublin Fire Brigade will be fully consulted before the proposed changes are implemented. A Joint Forum within Dublin City Council, which will include Management and Union representatives, will be established to address issues regarding the control centre reconfiguration. This is a very welcome development which will, I believe, ensure that the people of Dublin get the safer ambulance service they deserve.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy and that it explains the situation fully.
