Written Answers Nos. 205-213
205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason a full medical card is not applicable in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10896/15]
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.
207. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that have been carried out to date under the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013; the hospitals they were carried out in; the dates they were carried out on; the number that resulted in the death of the baby; if any of these terminations have led to an enquiry into their circumstances or whether any consideration is being given by the Health Service Executive to investigating the circumstances of any of these terminations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10928/15]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to note that I am obliged to prepare and lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas an annual report on the terminations of pregnancy that have taken place in accordance with the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act by 30 June this year. I will not be releasing any information on the operation of the Act before then. I am not aware of any inquiries or investigations currently taking place or under consideration arising from the operation of the Act.
208. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health in view of the publication of the countywide hospitalisation rates for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and diabetes if he will provide the countywide mortality rates for acute myocardial infarction, haemorrhagic stroke, and ischaemic stroke; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10930/15]
View answerThe first annual report of the National Healthcare Quality Reporting System (NHQRS) was published on 5 March 2015.
This is the first time that the Department of Health has published a report that focuses solely on the quality and safety of health services. The selection, analysis and presentation of the indicators in the report used readily available information and were approved by the NHQRS governance committee.
The report, using Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) data, presented at national and hospital level in-hospital mortality rates following admission with an acute myocardial infarction or haemorrhagic or ischaemic stroke. This analysis allows for comparison with other countries and for comparison of individual hospitals. The analysis showed at national level in-hospital mortality following admission with a heart attack or an ischaemic stroke decreased between 2004 and 2013. It also showed a variation for in-hospital mortalities between individual hospitals that requires further exploration and explanation to support improvements in the quality of health services.
The Central Statistics Office is responsible for compiling mortality rates including at county level for the conditions enquired about.
For future NHQRS annual reports, the range of indicators presented will continue to evolve to reflect the breadth of health services provided in Ireland.
209. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment in South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, County Cork in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10933/15]
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 should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved.
In relation to the specific case raised, 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.
210. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on progress made on the delivery of a primary care centre (details supplied) in County Kildare. [10945/15]
View answerIn November 2014, this location was one of 73 locations advertised for delivery of primary care infrastructure by means of the operational lease mechanism. The closing date for receipt of Expressions of Interest was mid-January 2015. Currently, the HSE is reviewing all Expressions of Interest received to determine which are suitable for more detailed consideration and progression to the next stage of the process.
211. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on progress made on the delivery of a primary care centre (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10946/15]
View answerThe construction of this primary care centre is underway. Subject to progress being maintained construction is expected to be completed by Q3 2015. It would be expected to be operational by Q4-2015.
212. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on progress made on the delivery of a primary care centre (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10947/15]
View answerThe construction of this primary care centre is underway. Subject to progress being maintained construction is expected to be completed by year end. It would be expected to be operational by Q1-2016.
213. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the expected timeframe for delivery and the cost of a project (details supplied) in County Kildare; the contingency plans in place for the operation of the facility during construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10949/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has 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.
