Wednesday, 25 Mar 2015

Written Answers Nos. 134-139

HSE Correspondence

Questions (134)

Colm Keaveney

Question:

134. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 196 of 15 January 2015, if he will reply to the question again, in view of the fact that the person who responded to this Deputy by correspondence on behalf of the Health Service Executive to that parliamentary question specifically denied any knowledge of the correspondence and contradicted its contents at a public meeting (details supplied); the reason this occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12268/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. I have noted, in particular, the point raised in the question relating to correspondence, and have asked the HSE to clarify this matter in its further response. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my private office and they will follow up the matter with them.

General Medical Services Scheme Payments

Questions (135)

Michael Ring

Question:

135. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when subsidy arrears will issue to a general practitioner practice (details supplied) in County Mayo. [12272/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. 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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (136)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

136. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 will secure an appointment for hip replacement surgery at Cappagh Hospital, Dublin 11. [12273/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The 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, as 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.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (137)

Gerry Adams

Question:

137. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a couple (details supplied) who are both over 70 years of age and who have had their medical cards removed due to being slightly over the threshold; if these cards will be restored due to ongoing hospital and medication charges not being covered under a general practitioner card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12287/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (138)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

138. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 will secure an appointment for an operation to remove kidney stones. [12294/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The 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, as 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.

Primary Care Centres Provision

Questions (139)

Michael McGrath

Question:

139. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the steps taken in delivering a primary care centre in a town (details supplied) in County Cork; the current status of the project and the next steps in the process, including the timeframe; the ranking of this project on the Health Service Executive's priority list of primary care centre projects around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12298/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The HSE has responsibility for the provision, maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. 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.